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Title: The wanderings and fortunes of some German emigrants
Author: Friedrich Gerstäcker
Translator: David Black
Release Date: May 9, 2013 [EBook #42672]
Language: English
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THE WANDERINGS AND FORTUNES
OF SOME GERMAN EMIGRANTS.
BY FREDERICK GERSTÆCKER.
TRANSLATED
BY DAVID BLACK.
LONDON:
DAVID BOGUE, FLEET STREET.
MDCCCXLVIII.
_Now Ready, in post octavo, 6s. cloth,_
From the "Athenæum."
The substance of this entertaining book--which relates the fortunes of a
company of German adventurers bound for the land of promise, with the
design of forming a colony there--is evidently no fiction. It is
impossible to read many pages without perceiving that the author is
telling what he must himself have seen, known, and suffered--so minute
and circumstantial is the narrative: and as he is gifted with
considerable powers of observing and describing, the reality of his work
renders it extremely life-like and engaging.
Any true account--and such, in the main, this undoubtedly is--of what
befals the exiles from Europe in their attempts to settle in the New
World, will always have a certain interest for those who remain behind.
To English readers, especially, it is something new to learn how it
fared with a party of German emigrants in North America. Of the fortunes
of many of our own countrymen who have gone thither on the same errand
we have perhaps sufficiently heard. But we are little acquainted with
what the crowds that have for many years past been leaving Germany for
the United States may have to say of their experience. We are glad,
therefore, to meet with a writer who is evidently no stranger to this
little known history; and who has not only had a personal share in the
emigrant's lot and a close acquaintance with many features of that New
World to which hope allures him, but a quick eye, as well, to read the
characters of men and things, and a ready masculine pen to record his
observations.
Herr Gerstæcker seems to be a genial observer of the humours and ways of
men, as well as apt in the business of daily life--with some readiness
in portraying both in a simple, dramatic fashion. The tempers and
oddities of the motley crew of pilgrims from Bremen are drawn with a
freshness, and a truth to the special dialects and features of the
different provinces and trades from which they were collected, that it
would not be easy to reproduce in an English translation. The smith--the
bold, burly brewer--the little tailor, half sly, half sheepish,--the
flourishing man of law--the rough, simple Oldenburgher boor--and the
meek, but somewhat too child-like pastor, are each and all kept in
consistent life-likeness throughout the whole course of the adventure;
and in many of their mishaps, and experiences, and dialogues, present
themselves with that mixture of good-natured rusticity and awkward
humour that seems to be native to the ordinary German mind. The book, in
short, is full of pleasant reading, as well as of sagacious remark--and
must take a useful place in any series of works written for the people
of a country that almost vies with our own in the number of exiles whom
it annually sends across the Atlantic.
D. BOGUE, 86, FLEET STREET.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE SEA VOYAGE.
The embarkation--First taste of salt water--Sea-sickness--Intestine
dissensions--The passengers--Alsatians--The Oldenburghers and their
wooden shoes--A calm--Fate of the wooden shoes--A child
overboard--Capture of a shark--A storm--Effects of the storm--Death of a
passenger--The storm abates--Complaints against the committee--The
remonstrance--The committee's vindication--Indolence of the
Oldenburghers--A stratagem--Approach to the American coast--"Ashore!
Ashore!"--Negro robbers--Termination of the voyage p. 1-43
CHAPTER II.
A WEEK IN NEW YORK.
The "Switzer's home"--Wonders of New York--"Five hundred journeymen
wanted!"--A civil countryman--The future settlement--An adventure on the
Quay--"The Switzer's home"--A night's "rest"--The "striped pig"--A
natural curiosity maker--The "striped pig" explained--Yankee dodges--Mr.
Becher's address--The promised land--The purchase completed--A Methodist
ranter--The tailor's adventure--Letters of introduction--Suspicions
against Dr. Normann--Dr. Normann's "smartness"--The separation 44-83
CHAPTER III.
THE PILGRIMAGE TO THE SETTLEMENT.
Scenery of the Hudson--The haunted island--A night on the
Hudson--Utica--A "railway hotel" repast--The Erie canal--A name for the
future town--The canal bridges--The first death--The Falls of
Niagara--American fences--Abandonment of luggage--Difficulties in the
treasury--The subscription--Cincinnati--Adventures in Cincinnati--An old
settler--The Negro barber--German-American politics--Political
spouting--Daybreak on the Ohio--Normann's love suit--The Cincinnati
"Museum"--First impressions of the Mississippi--Arrival at the Big
Halchee--The home in the wilderness 84-133
CHAPTER IV.
THE SETTLEMENT.
A night in a shanty--The watchman's horn--The woodsman's hut--Death in
the woods--The forest burial-place--A clearing on the Mississippi--A
desolate scene--The "river" and the "town"--The floods of the
Mississippi--A journey in the woods--Unpleasant forebodings--A town in
the backwoods--A "camp out"--The "dead clearing"--The "lot"
identified--The disappointment--Forest lodgings--Use of the
axe--Deer-stalking--Perils of hunting in the backwoods--Progress of
settlement--A plot and a counter-plot 131-174
CHAPTER V.
EXCURSIONS HITHER AND THITHER.
Plans for the future--How to "get along" in America--Philadelphia--The
Quaker City--Points of the compass--Letters of
introduction--Steam-voyage to New Orleans--Approach to the city--"Yellow
Jack"--A New Orleans school--American school-system--Pleasant
anticipations 175-194
CHAPTER VI.
THE SETTLEMENT--AN UNEXPECTED VISIT.
A "herd" of wild turkeys--Turkey-buzzards--A startling apparition--Dr.
Normann--The doctor's accomplice--The reconciliation--Sinister
speculations--Plans for abduction--"Bear-tracking" 195-210
CHAPTER VII.
THE FLIGHT.
Purchase of horses and cattle--Backwoods hospitality--The wolf and the
sheep--"Salting" cattle--Elbow-room in the woods--"Westward
Ho!"--Farming in the Backwoods--"Chicken fixings"--Rail-fence
making--Mutual secrets--The deer-calf--Success of the ruse--The arrival
of the cattle--Treachery discovered--Bertha's fears--The Mulatto's
sudden appearance--The abduction completed--The Serpentine
water-course--Narrow escape from discovery--The pursuers at fault--The
last gleam of hope 211-249
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MOUTH OF THE BIG HALCHEE.
The shores of the Mississippi--Girdling--Settlers' errors--New mode of
banking--Settlements by communities--Schwarz's plans--Wood-carrying on
the "go-ahead" principle--A backwoods "river"--A Mississippi steamer
captain--American hospitality--The landing--An unexpected discovery
250-268
CHAPTER IX.
TREACHERY WITHIN TREACHERY.
Normann's suspicions awakened--The Yankee's escape--The pursuit--The
deliverance--Suspense--Bertha restored to her father--An unpleasant
recognition--The mulatto's escape--Death struggle on the
Mississippi--The return to the settlement 269-290
CHAPTER X.
THE MIGRATION.
A new home--The old bachelor--A ride through the woods--The deserted
pastor--The break up of the colony--The pastor's removal--Bringing home
the bride--Two households arranged--The fortunes of some of the
colonists--Conclusion 291-310
THE
WANDERINGS AND FORTUNES
OF SOME
GERMAN EMIGRANTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE SEA VOYAGE.
The majority of the intending passengers by the new and smart bark, the
"Hoffnung," Commander Wellbach, bound for New York, were assembled at
Meier's, the host of the Hull Arms Tavern, in the ancient Hanse-town of
Bremen, prior to their departure, to hear the laws read, which had been
drawn up by a committee chosen by themselves, from among their leading
men, and to subscribe these laws. They related not only to the voyage
across the ocean, but also to the proceedings of the Emigrants on their
arrival in their new home, and were intended, as the preamble expressed
it, "to unite firmly the Emigrants in a band of friendship for the
attainment of _one_ great object."
The committee consisted of six members--namely, the Lutheran clergyman,
or, as he is styled, the Pastor Hehrmann; Becher, an advocate; a Mr. Von
Schwanthal; two brothers, merchants, named Siebert; and a gentleman
named Herbold, formerly a landed proprietor. They were zealous for the
general welfare, and had, by these laws, reserved equal rights and
assigned equal duties to each, so far at least as was compatible with
the foregone determination of buying a block of land somewhere in the
United States, immediately on their arrival in New York, of occupying
it, of tilling it, and of harvesting it in common; and such of the party
as had never handled a plough or a spade, were as pleased as children
with the thought of working hard in the New World--in the primeval
forest--and pictured to themselves how well they should relish the bread
to be raised by the toil of their own hands.
The requisite funds for the voyage, as well as a small surplus for a
beginning, had been previously handed over by each of the little
community to the elder Siebert, as treasurer, who had accordingly
bargained with the broker and paid for the passage; and when all the
passengers had signed the laws there no longer appeared to be any
obstacle to their future happiness, or, at all events, none to their
future concord and good-fellowship.
Scarcely had this been concluded before a clerk of the shipbroker
entered the room, and announced that one Peter, the master of a river
craft, would start on the following morning at seven, with the
passengers and lighter part of the baggage, such as they might want to
get at during the voyage, for the "Hoffnung," a new copper-fastened and
fast-sailing ship, then moored at Bremerhafen, waiting for them.
There remained, therefore, but one night more in their native land; even
the most callous among them felt their spirits droop at the thought, and
several wrung their hands in silence.
"How shall we feel, then," said Pastor Hehrmann, who noticed this
movement, "when the last grey strip of land disappears in the distance,
when the great desert of waters surrounds us, and our native land, which
is still ours, torn from us, perhaps for ever? 'Tis a serious step we
are taking, and let us all recollect how necessary it is for us to hold
together with heart and soul. We are to face these dangers together, we
must therefore act together for the common good, and not only unite our
interests, but sincerely love each other as brothers."
Pastor Hehrmann was a worthy man, and meant what he said, and those who
were acquainted with him knew it and honoured him. A long pause
followed; at length, the elder Siebert, not without reason, reminded the
Emigrants of their approaching departure, and that, no doubt, there must
be many little matters to buy and to provide. This string once more
touched, soon caused a universal movement and bustle; the feelings were
forgotten, and the body, particularly the stomach, for which they had to
provide, asserted its just claims.
Two large boats received the Emigrants at the hour fixed on the ensuing
morning, and all of them--including the committee and a few others of
the travellers who had preferred passing the thirty-eight miles, which
separated them from the ship, in the steamer which started five hours
later, but was so much faster--were before long under way for the ship
to which they were about to confide their property and their lives, for
an uncertain and perhaps a dangerous voyage.
They were a motley company these two boat-loads of human beings--men,
women, children, girls, and young men, all mixed together: and, as a
sharp although light wind began to curl the waves, and rocked the boats
a little, many a one felt a strange sinking at the heart, and some even
inquired of the watermen whether sea-sickness was ever known to break
out on the Weser-boats; however, they reached unscathed the large ship
which lay in the offing near Bremerhafen, whither she had been already
towed out; there, all climbed on board in confused haste, the luggage
followed, and a new world surrounded them.
But there was not much time left for reflection; the sun had nearly run
his course, and every one had yet to make arrangements for passing the
night, which seemed no easy task in the narrow space which was pointed
out to them.
A mason, who had quitted home with a wife and three little children,
asked the mate, with downcast spirit, whether they were _all_ to find
quarters in that hole; the answer was, "Yes." Nor was this all; chest
after chest, trunk upon trunk, were let down into a hold of about eleven
yards in length by but a few yards in breadth, for the sleeping berths
on either side almost filled it up, so that it appeared a puzzle to most
of the travellers how the captain was to stow his living freight, if he
had no more "rooms" for the purpose than this.
Their surveys and conjectures were cut short for awhile, by a signal
from the ship's cook, explained by the mate to mean "feeding time,"
which called all of them to a small kitchen, painted green, and fastened
to the deck by plaited ropes and iron hooks, there to "catch hold," as
the cook expressed it, of their tea and biscuit. Now, although doubtless
hands were given us to "catch hold" with, yet it did not appear how they
were to be applied for that purpose to the tea, all their vessels and
earthenware being carefully packed up in their chests and boxes.
The consequence was, that most of them had to go without tea for that
evening. There was a tanner, however, on board with a large family, who
quietly expressed his opinion that those who would go to America must
know how to help themselves, and taking hold of a large bucket, whereon
a capital "H" was painted, he got the cook, who laughingly did as he
wished, to pour the tea for his whole family into the bucket.
"I say, that's too strong for the children," quoth his wife, as she
stared into the bucket; "you had better pour some more water into it."
"But I've got none hot," pleaded the husband, who would not understand
the tea's being too strong.
"Well, then, take some cold," replied his better half; "why, the tea is
boiling hot."
The tanner with a sigh obeyed, and asked a sailor who was just hauling
up a bucketful for some of it, which request the latter, so soon as he
had been told what it was for, willingly granted, and with the most
obliging countenance in the world, he diluted the tea for them which had
been pronounced too strong.
The sailor remained standing beside them.
The tanner's wife, after merely touching the mixture with her lips, to
see that it was not too hot, poured a spoonful down the throat of her
youngest child; no sooner was it partly down, however, than he sung out
lustily, struck about him with hands and feet, and spluttered out that
which he had just taken in great haste. Frightened to death, the woman
took a gulp of the beverage herself, fearing lest she had scalded the
child; it was cool enough, but it produced nearly the same symptoms in
her as it had in the child--the tea was completely--pickled.
The sailor went back to his work, chuckling inwardly, first whispering
to the husband, "Now, do you see, you're on salt water."
Fortunately there was plenty of tea left for that evening, and the cook
gave them a second allowance.
But the time had now arrived for them to look after their sleeping
places before it was quite dark, and all crept with their mattresses and
blankets into one or other of the "berths," as the square boxes, fixed
two and two, one over another, are called, in order to have some place
to lay their heads for this night at all events, if not for the whole
voyage.
It was a scene of disorder and confusion; chests, boxes, umbrellas,
hat-cases, blankets, mattresses, and cooking apparatus, and even here
and there human beings stretched out upon them, laid about
higgledy-piggledy, in the thickening twilight, and looked like some
shapeless chaos.
The water, fortunately, remained quiet, so that no danger was to be
feared from the motion of the ship; but as the rays of the following
morning's sun lighted up the steerage, they gave the unfortunate
occupants some notion of the miseries of a sea voyage.
For, some sailors letting themselves suddenly down the two hatchways, as
though they had descended from the clouds, soon disturbed the
tranquillity which, notwithstanding the confusion, seemed to reign
below; indeed some had passed the night in such break-neck positions
that they hardly dared to move when the dawn discovered their relations
to external objects.
However, compelled by necessity, most of them clambered on deck, and
left the luggage to the sailors, who chocked and made it all fast to the
uprights, with ropes and cords, so that it might not be thrown about by
a rough sea.
The committee, who had arrived about two hours earlier than the two
boats, had taken up their quarters in the cabin, where they had arranged
themselves tolerably comfortably, with the exception of the Pastor
Hehrmann, who, remaining true to the resolution, "that we all are
equal," would have no preference over the poorer class, and had taken
possession of one of the berths close under the after hatchway, as being
one of the most airy and healthy parts of the steerage.
Everything was arranged on this day; each person had a permanent berth
allotted to him, as also a certain allowance of butter for the week, and
of beef or salt pork for the day; that done, Pastor Hehrmann read a
short prayer, and as soon as supper was over, most of the passengers
went to rest wearied with the exertions of the day.
Towards morning a light wind arose; sufficient to determine the captain
to get under weigh. The heavy anchor was weighed, and the majestic
vessel slowly stretched out towards the mouth of the river.
When they arrived there the breeze died away altogether, and the slack
sails hung about the mast; but at ten o'clock, when the greater part of
the emigrants were assembled on deck, some little black clouds arose in
the south-east, spreading themselves out and covering the whole sky; the
wind, with extraordinary rapidity, howled over the excited waters
towards the ship, filled the sails and laid her quite on one side, and
passed on over the as yet slightly curled waves.
At this stage most of the travellers who were below, more particularly
the female part of them, rushed out of the cabin, calling for the
Captain, "for," said they, "the ship is falling over." In vain did the
mate and some of the crew assure them to the contrary. "No, they had the
evidence of their senses that the ship lay all on one side, and of
course it must fall over, whether it would or no;" and then, alas! the
consequences which they painted were so dreadful, that they filled them
afresh with horror, and crying and sobbing, and no longer able to stand,
they held on by the water-casks which were fastened to the deck.
But a mightier soother than mate or captain either, now trod upon the
scene, one that not only pacified their spirits, but within a few hours
made them all as indifferent to storms and waves as though they were
reposing on their respectable stable mother-earth--this was
sea-sickness. Excited by the winds, the waves raised their crests higher
and higher, and the ship rose and fell with them; but, the higher the
waves rose the more were the hearts of the poor emigrants dejected, and
they lay about the deck with chalk-coloured faces, regardless of the
sprays which washed over them and wet them to the skin.
Pastor Hehrmann and another, a young doctor, named Werner, who, to
escape from the water which flooded the deck, had climbed into the lower
cross-trees, and taken up his quarters there, were the only persons who
were spared by the ruthless sea-tyrant; they kept in the open air and
did not feel the least inconvenience.
Things were not much better in the cabin than in the steerage; Mr.
Herbold seemed to bear it better than the rest, but even he appeared
pale and ill. The others were in a pitiable state, and the elder
Siebert, who lay in one of the lower berths, two and two having a little
cabin to themselves, at length dare not venture his head out at all; so
exactly did his brother, who rested, or rather tortured himself above,
seem to lie in wait for the opportunity of having a fresh attack of this
dreadful and not to be suppressed sickness.
Mr. Becher accounted himself as one doomed to death, and M. Von
Schwanthal affirmed that as for him he existed only in his stomach.
Fortunately this state of things was not of long continuance, for
already on the following day the wind abated, and also the waves,
although the ship continued to dance up and down merrily, and as yet but
few of the sick had completely recovered.
A general demand now arose for herrings and such like things, for those
who began to recover and to get back their appetites could not make up
their minds to the hard ship's biscuit and the salt beef and pickled
pork, and lamented for something comfortable to the stomach.
Here again, Pastor Hehrmann, who, more by accident than from any hope of
their utility, had brought a small barrel of herrings with him, was at
hand to assist them, and he divided the herrings willingly and gladly
among the convalescent.
The wind remained moderate, and everything promised a prosperous voyage.
On the fourth day they came in sight of the French town of Calais, and
the town of Dover, on the opposite English coast; sailed on the
following morning past the Isle of Wight--and on the evening of the
sixth day they entered the Atlantic Ocean.
Scarcely recovered from sea-sickness, the little community in the
steerage had by no means adapted itself with contented mind to the
novelty and inconvenience of its situation; on the contrary, they
already lived in discord and hatred among themselves, and their minds
were becoming more and more embittered.
Pastor Hehrmann, indeed, did all he could to restore peace, and was
partially successful; but fresh outbreaks were constantly occurring, and
the committee thought themselves called upon to interfere.
A cabinet-maker, who had travelled in Russia and Poland, in Denmark and
Sweden, in Prussia and Austria, as he had related a hundred times to his
patient hearers, got into a quarrel with a stout brewer--had called the
latter by some opprobrious epithet, and was knocked down in consequence
by the brewer, who had a mind to put an end to the matter at once. The
cabinet-maker was quieted, it is true, but the brewer had a harder
combat before him, for nearly all the women took part with the
vanquished, and such a storming and scolding as now arose had never
before been heard on board the Hoffnung.
Meanwhile the committee had determined to interfere, and its members
betook themselves to the hatchway of the steerage, whence a confused
murmur of voices met them.
M. Von Schwanthal, a good, amiable man, but not of the cleverest,
volunteered to allay the ferment by a short speech, and although Mr.
Becher opposed this, the rest were content. M. Von Schwanthal,
therefore, descended backwards a few steps of the stairs, little better
than a ladder, which led below, till he thought he had got far enough to
overlook the interior, and then turned round and addressed the assembly
below politely, with--"Gentlemen," (Ladies would have been more
appropriate,) when unfortunately his feet slipped forward, and he
arrived at the feet of the breakers of the peace more speedily than he
had purposed.
"Good morning, M. Von Schwanthal," said the brewer, quietly, who,
notwithstanding the noise and disturbance around him, sat very
comfortably on his large round-topped chest, filling a pipe of tobacco.
"But, my good people," cried M. Von Schwanthal, jumping quickly upon his
feet--the rest of his address was unheard, a roar of laughter drowned
his words, and mortified, and swearing inwardly, M. Von Schwanthal
regained the deck.
However, he had attained his object--peace was restored for the moment
at all events, for the people now only laughed at the mishaps of their
committee-man. But new squabbles arose daily, and the ill feeling
extended towards the committee-men whom they had themselves elected, and
who, it was suggested behind their backs, might have taken their passage
in the steerage like the rest, "for in America all men are equal."
Some Alsatian peasants were particularly warm in support of these
opinions. Their words sounded like thunder. They swore that they would
no longer be ridden over roughshod by the gentry, as they had been, but
intended to give them a bit of their mind at the earliest opportunity.
On the other hand, a little troop of Oldenburghers, consisting of twelve
stout young fellows, lived contentedly enough; they troubled themselves
about nothing, came upon deck regularly three times a day to receive
their meat and drink, and laid themselves quietly down again on their
mattresses in their berths to rest themselves, as they called it.
The whole of these worthies wore large wooden shoes, to the great
vexation of their fellow passengers; and when they lay in bed, as they
did during the greater portion of the day, they placed these shoes in
front of their berths, so that people had often tumbled over them in the
narrow dark passage through which they had to wind their way. The
Oldenburghers, notwithstanding the threats and remonstrances of the
others, would not remedy the grievance, contending that they were as
good as the rest, that in America all people were equal, and that nobody
had any right to forbid them from placing their wooden shoes where they
thought proper.
Some of the women felt their position amidst these constant bickerings
and squabbles to be a very unpleasant one, and amongst others, the wife
and daughters of the Pastor Hehrmann, who, surrounded in the steerage by
clamour, scarcely liked to leave the deck, when evening closed over
them, to venture down again into the dark hold.
The Captain, it is true, several times good naturedly offered them the
cabin for their abode, but Pastor Hehrmann would not accept it,
dreading, not without cause, lest he should thereby excite more
discontent amongst his restless countrymen, already ill enough disposed
towards their "genteel" committee-men.
Pastor Hehrmann's daughters were respectively seventeen and nineteen
years of age, and two more tender and amiable creatures never traversed
the Atlantic to accompany their parents in search of a home beyond it.
They were slim and well grown, and in their almost black hair and dark
glowing eyes one could scarcely recognise daughters of the North. They
tended their delicate mother, who had suffered seriously from sea
sickness, with care and love, and did all in their power to smoothe her
disagreeable position.
The Hoffnung had in this manner left about a hundred German miles
(nearly five hundred English miles) behind her, when one morning the
wind suddenly ceased, the sea became as smooth as glass, the ship stood
immovable, and the sun shone down clearly and cheerfully from the pure
unclouded sky.
It was such a day at sea as restores sick persons to balmy health, and
causes healthy persons to forget that they are floating on a few boards
over an almost bottomless abyss cut off from all human aid. The day
passed in rejoicing, in singing and dancing, and it was nigh midnight
before the last of the travellers betook themselves to rest, leaving the
deck to the sailors of the watch.
All was still, when a dark figure cautiously and noiselessly emerged
from the steerage; it carried something under its arms and in its hands,
approached the bulwarks and threw it over; it fell on the water with a
splash; all was silent once more, and the figure disappeared through the
hatchway.
Two sailors sitting in the bows had been spectators of this proceeding,
and endeavoured to make out what it was which the unknown person had
confided to the deep; but it was too dark, and they leaned back into
their former attitudes of repose to resume the yarn which one of them
had been spinning, when again the same figure appeared, and again, cast
something, whatever it might be, overboard.
"I say, Jack," whispered one of them to the other, "what can it be that
yon fellow is throwing overboard? it splashes so in the water; let us
see what it is."
"Oh, never mind," answered his messmate; "whatever it may be, it's
nothing belonging to us, for he fetched it out of the steerage; but I
think I see something floating on the water."
"By Jove, and so do I," replied the other; "come along; I should like to
know what it can be."
The two sailors advanced, but the figure had already withdrawn itself;
they could, however, distinctly make out some light objects upon the
smooth sea, and were still speculating upon what it could be, when the
mysterious one re-appeared for the third time, loaded as before; he
paused a moment on perceiving the two sailors, but his irresolution did
not last long, for stepping gently forward, he looked cautiously round
for a moment, and then laughingly showed the curious spectators several
pairs of wooden shoes, which he launched into the Atlantic, like the
rest.
"Well," said he, when the last consignment had been duly forwarded,
"we're rid of them, anyhow, but don't say a word, for God's sake," he
continued, seizing by the arms the two sailors, who were just about to
roar out. "Hush! I beg of you. If those bumpkins were to know that it is
I who played them this trick, they would be the death of me. But one of
them trod so heavily on my poor corns the other day with his wooden
machines, that I vowed to do it; but not a word--you promise that?"
The sailors laughingly gave their word not to betray the least hint, and
the little mischievous journeyman tailor, who, as a South German, had a
native hatred to the Low Germans, slipped down unobserved to his rest,
perfectly satisfied.
Who shall describe the noise, the abuse, and the threats on the one
side, or the rejoicing on the other, the following morning, when the
Oldenburghers, wanting to get up to breakfast, were unable to find their
wooden shoes in their accustomed places, but in lieu thereof discovered
them floating round the vessel at a distance of some hundred yards.
They cursed and threatened loudly, and requested the Captain, who was
just coming up the companion stairs, with his hands in his pockets, and
could hardly conceal his amazement, that he would let a boat be put out
to fish up the lost sheep. But he replied gravely, that the weather
looked much too suspicious; that a squall might spring up at a moment's
notice, and therefore he could not venture to leave the ship in a small
boat.
"But, Captain," said one of the much-injured lads, "where is the squall
to come from? The sky is all blue!"
"Do you see that black cloud, down yonder, near the horizon, in the
west?" asked the Captain, pointing at the same time towards that
quarter.
"No!" was the unanimous answer of the Oldenburghers.
"You don't see it? Well, it's all one--_I_ see it! Besides, you can't
tell sky from sea yet! But the cloud looks suspicious--and I wouldn't
lose a boat and four hands for all the wooden shoes that were ever
made!"
With these words he turned upon his heel, and walked down the companion
stairs again.
The Oldenburghers now applied to the committee, and demanded that they
should recover their property for them. But Mr. Becher, with a shrug of
the shoulders, gave it as his opinion that the jurisdiction of the
committee extended, it is true, to the whole of the vessel, but not for
an indefinite number of yards round her into the sea; therefore, that
the gentlemen must either make themselves comfortable--or else, fetch
the shoes themselves.
One of them was in the act of proposing, as the sea was so still, to
jump in, and to collect the fugitives by swimming; while the rest were
uttering maledictions on the head of the author of their troubles, and
announcing how they would all thrash him, if they could but catch him,
when suddenly the cry, "A shark! a shark!" was heard from the
cross-trees. It was young Werner, above alluded to, who had chosen that
elevated place as his favourite resort, and to whom all eyes were now
turned, to learn the direction in which the sea monster was to be found.
Werner pointed to the streak of light formed by the sun upon the water,
and all the voyagers distinctly perceived from the deck the dorsal fin
of the shark, standing six or seven inches out of the water.
Although several of these voracious creatures had been already round the
ship, still probably few of the travellers had seen one of them, and all
pressed to the ship's side to view the fish, as it came nearer and
nearer to the ship and the surrounding wooden shoes.
"Well, I should like to know whether he eats wooden shoes!" said the
Brewer, rubbing his hands complacently, and watching every movement of
the creature.
His wish seemed on the point of being fulfilled, for the fish,
approaching the first sabot, described a circle round it, and all
expected the immediate disappearance of the same, when a fearful
cry--such a cry as can only issue from the breast of a terrified
mother--was heard from the midst of the crowd which had pressed, full of
curiosity, to the bulwarks, and in the same moment, a heavy body fell on
the smooth surface of the waters, and sank beneath it.
"My child! my child!" cried the woman, in the very act of throwing
herself after the helpless being, which now re-appeared on the surface,
struggling and gurgling. But those who surrounded her held her back, and
gazed, in apprehension of the worst, at the swiftly-approaching shark,
which now shot forward like an arrow, its attention being aroused by the
splash of the object in the water.
Both the daughters of Pastor Hehrmann had witnessed the child's fall;
and the eldest of them, in a voice almost choked by terror, cried,
"Help! help! for God's sake!" "Launch the boat!" cried the Captain. But
there was some delay. A few seconds more must decide the fate of the
child--for the shark was scarcely ten yards distant from him, and
already seemed to scent its prey. It was then that the young man in the
cross-trees glided down a rope with the activity of a sailor, and before
any one could guess his purpose, or hinder him, sprang into the crystal
flood beneath, right before the very jaws of the fish, and coming to the
surface again, seized the child, which had just reappeared for the third
time.
A cry of admiration at this desperate boldness arose from sailors as
well as passengers; but the shark, frightened by the loud dash, and
rendered uneasy by the cries and noise on board the ship, drew back from
the booty he had almost reached, and careered around the brave swimmer
in narrow circles.
"Strike with your hands--splash--kick--make as much noise as you can!"
cried the seamen with one accord. But the Captain had caught up a rope,
and threw it to the young man, who, holding the child in his left arm,
seized the rope with the right one, and held himself afloat by it, while
he kicked out with all his force, and splashed the water far around
him.
"Sling the rope round your elbow," called the Captain, "and we can haul
you up." The young man did so; but all his bold and generous sacrifice
seemed in vain, for the shark, who by this time had found that there was
no danger to be apprehended from this quarter, shot forward once more.
The sailors, indeed, hauled the rope with their utmost strength and
goodwill, but their help seemed to come too late; for the monster was
but a few feet off from him, and was just about to turn on its back, to
snap at the body of the unhappy man, when--in that very moment--when
every one in breathless and fearful dread awaited to see the worst--a
heavy piece of meat fell into the sea, close to the open fangs of the
shark, and was swallowed by him as quick as lightning.
It is true, that this mouthful only seemed to have whetted his appetite
for more, for he turned again, and made a second movement to seize the
body of the bold swimmer, who was already half drawn up from his watery
grave; but, suddenly the shark began to lash the water with his tail,
started back several feet, and dived down.
Nobody troubled himself at the moment as to the cause of this almost
inexplicable salvation, for all that had hands hauled away to get the
poor fellow, who was almost terrified to death, on board; and he had
scarcely handed the living child to its mother, before he fell back
senseless in the arms of those around him.
But there was not a woman on board who would not now have pressed
forward to call back the fainted one into life; and the mother of the
saved child threw herself on her knees, and audibly besought the
Almighty not to rob her so soon of the saviour of her only joy.
Meanwhile, the attention of the travellers was distracted from the
patient, whom, besides, they knew to be in good hands, towards the sea,
whence a great splashing and noise resounded anew.
It was the shark, which, caught by the hook which the cook had fastened
in the lump of meat, and thrown to him in the nick of time, was striking
and tearing in the vain endeavour to regain his lost freedom. All hands
laid hold of the rope, and after a time the immense fish (for he was
about fourteen feet long) floundered on the deck, striking it till the
planks shook again.
But he did not live long--passengers as well as sailors caught hold of
whatever came to hand, and the creature, with its head shattered, soon
writhed in its own blood.
While the men, on the one hand, were thus busied with the destruction of
the life of their adversary, the women, on the other, were tending their
charge with tender care, and watching anxiously every symptom which
might announce returning consciousness.
There was no surgeon on board--as, indeed, there hardly ever is on board
of ships destined for emigrants--but the Captain had abandoned his
medicine-chest to them, and Hoffman's drops, sal volatile, and several
other powerful remedies were applied to bring the colour back to the
pale cheeks, and open the closed eyelids.
At last a deep sigh escaped from the breast of the unconscious one; the
women uttered cries of joy, and Hehrmann's elder daughter clasped her
sister's hand fervently, and called her a _good, dear_ girl, while a
tear glistened in her own eye.
Young Werner recovered, though but slowly; and it was touching to see
the woman, with the rescued child on her arm, fall down on her knees
before him, and kiss his hand, so that he could hardly prevent her. Even
the hardy sailors felt their hearts warm and soften at the sight.
All squabbles and disputes were put an end to by this occurrence, at
least for a time, and even the Oldenburghers tried to forget their
wooden shoes, particularly as, towards evening, a light East wind sprang
up and filled the slack sails, and removed the ship more and more from
them.
About midnight, however, a fresh favourable South-easter sprang up,
that sent the Hoffnung pretty fast on her destination; the sails were
filled, and the white spray splashed from her bows; the wind did not
increase for some days, so that the sea was not much agitated, the
motion of the ship gentle, and the travellers, who by degrees became
accustomed to the rocking to and fro, suffered little from sea-sickness;
even Mrs. Hehrmann, who had dropped the title of "pastoress" at Bremen,
began to recover, and was often on deck.
Young Werner, who by his boldness had made himself the favourite of the
whole ship, attached himself more especially to the family of the
Hehrmanns, and in particular was attentive to the women in contriving
and executing a number of little comforts to better or smoothe their
situation, which was by no means one of the pleasantest. Many a kind
look from the elder daughter, Bertha, was his reward, and on these
occasions he felt that a new and glad world opened itself before him, as
though he had already, on the desert seas, found a home, which he had
hoped to find in foreign distant climes.
It was late one evening; the moon, that but shortly before had poured
her friendly light upon the slightly curled sea, hid her disk, which was
nearly at the full, behind thin clouds, that floated past her quicker
and quicker, that covered her closer and closer, till at last a faint
glimmer announced the spot where she tried in vain to break a passage,
and to dispel the closing shadows.
Werner, wrapped in his cloak, had been relating the tale of his life, a
simple one, to old Hehrmann; how he had, yonder, lost all that was dear
to him; how he was bound, with the rest of his fortune, to that strange
country which is the hope and the silent longing of thousands, either to
found a new home among strangers, or else, at all events, not to be
daily reminded that he had once possessed such, and now was banished
from the threshold of his paternal house, tenanted by strange people.
The two girls, wrapped closely in their mantles, and leaning against
their father, had listened with breathless attention, when the loud
orders of the Captain, who issued his commands quickly through a
speaking-trumpet, disturbed the confidential conversation, and called
the attention of the friends to what was passing around them.
An ominous rustling and whispering from the sea greeted the ear, and the
dark waves, sprinkled as it seemed with millions of glistening stars,
rolled and tumbled together more uneasily.
The Captain's voice sounded louder and shorter, and the sailors climbed
like cats up the shrouds, ran along the yards, and fastened the loosened
and fluttering sails to them. Scarce was this dangerous work over before
a distant howling was heard. With fearful rapidity it hurried nearer,
and in a few minutes more the ship flew, with her jib and foresail only
set, like an arrow through the heaving waves.
The passengers, warned by the Captain, forsook the deck, and Pastor
Hehrmann and Werner were the only ones who defied the weather, for the
waves looked terrifically beautiful in their dark grandeur, when the
white and glowing looking foam shot past on their crests, and dissolved
itself in a thousand little sparks. At last, however, they were obliged
to quit the deck, for heavy drops fell from the clouds that towered
themselves closer and closer. They descended, not without casting many
an inquiring and fearful look towards the threatening sky, with some
reluctance into the dark between decks, whence a suffocating vapour
waved against them, and where they required some minutes before they got
used to the close and vitiated air, and ventured to breathe it freely.
A hollow sea was running; the waves struck heavily against the sides of
the ship, which quivered at each blow. Still the wind had not had time
to raise the sea much, and the good ship, heeling over to leeward, which
gives a vessel a more secure, and even a more quiet position than when
the sea is right abaft, and the lofty structure rolls from side to side,
shot forward rapidly through the dark flood, dashing the white foam
before her, so that most of the travellers sank into the arms of sleep,
quietly and heedlessly.
And Werner, too, crept into his berth, and listened for a long time,
with his ear pressed close to the ship's side, to the surging and
dashing and thundering of the waves without, until his eyes also were
weighed down by weariness, and he found in his dreams the happiness that
he was now driving through storms and waves to seek.
A wild and confused cry, the lumbering and crashing of heavy objects,
and an almost stupifying acute pain in the head, awoke him. He opened
his eyes in terror and wonder; but although pitchy darkness surrounded
him, he could distinguish that the ship must have changed her course,
and therefore now leaned over on the side he was on, for his head laid
low down, while his feet were elevated. He quickly changed his position.
But the fearful noise between decks continued, and, creeping out of his
berth, he soon became aware of the shocking condition in which he, as
well as all his fellow-passengers, was placed.
In the space which separates the two rows of sleeping places, there
stand beams or pillars, ten feet apart from each other, destined as well
for the support of the deck, which rests upon them, as for the security
of the luggage within, and to these the chests and boxes, the trunks and
packages, which are to be used, or their contents consumed, by the
travellers on the passage, and therefore cannot be put into the hold,
are lashed with ropes; and this is always done by the sailors, in order
that, in the event of a sudden squall, or of continued stormy weather,
the heavy baggage may not be hurled hither and thither in the narrow
space, and endanger the limbs or lives even of its closely-packed
tenants.
This had been, and properly, done on board the Hoffnung, and that in
such wise that most of the lids and covers could be opened, and so
permit the free use of their provision and clothes' stores; but one of
the countrymen, not comprehending the evil consequences of its omission,
had unfastened one of the ropes--notwithstanding the cautions of several
of his fellow-passengers--to enable him to take something out of his
chest more conveniently.
The little tailor, who lay in the berth over his, probably had some
indistinct vision of chests and boxes dancing about, for he tried to
fasten the rope again, but not being initiated in the mystery of tying
such knots, he was only partially successful. When, therefore, the ship
began to rise and jerk about, when the whole weight of the luggage swung
over, first to this side and then to the other, the knot was loosened,
and first the little packages and boxes came tumbling down from their
elevations, and at last the heavy artillery, the immense storehouses of
the emigrants, followed.
It is true that, with praiseworthy zeal, several of these latter jumped
out of their berths so soon as they observed the danger, but such was
the mad motion of the ship that they could hardly keep on their legs,
much less govern these heavy bodies, and a sudden movement of the ship
throwing every thing towards them, compelled them hastily to retreat to
their berths, which were protected by stout planks, in order to avoid
being injured or crushed by the approaching chests.
Their position was a fearful one, and was rendered more so by the cries
of a young lad who had been trying to reach the opening towards the
deck, and had been seriously hurt by one of the chests which rolled
against him; while on all sides the shrieks of women, the cries of
children, and the groans and retching of the sea-sick, resounded from
the berths. It was a scene of dreadful confusion, and in vain did they
all call for the sailors to help them; none of them could have been of
any use in the darkness, had they had leisure to attend to the unhappy
passengers.
It was then, when every one believed that the terror had reached its
height, and could not be increased, that a cry of dread and agony
pierced through the noise and tumult, and even the children and the sick
stopped their lamentations to listen to that sound, and to the momentary
complete silence which succeeded the tumult; but it was only for a
moment that cry of fear; "A corpse, a corpse!" echoed from berth to
berth, from mouth to mouth.
Among the passengers on board the Hoffnung there was an old woman, a
widow, and her only daughter, who had gone out at the request of her
son, a cabinet-maker in New York. He, being in tolerably easy
circumstances, wished to have his poor old mother, who fared poorly
enough in Germany, beside him; and had sent home the means to enable her
and his sister to make the voyage over, to come and live with him.
The poor old woman, however, who was ailing when she came on board, and
had been much shaken by the sea sickness, no doubt in the confusion and
terror of that night considered the destruction of the ship inevitable,
and fear hastened the catastrophe for which bodily weakness and illness
had prepared the way.
She died, pressed to the heart of her daughter, who convulsively
embraced her; and it was the latter, feeling her mother's body at her
breast grow cold, who had uttered the shriek of terror and agony.
But all their prayers for help were vain; the poor young girl was alone
obliged to preserve the corpse from the rolling of the ship, and there
she lay for some hours with her dead mother in her arms.
Day, which had been so ardently and fearfully longed for, broke at last,
and with it came help in their really shocking need.
Eight sailors and the second mate came below to the unfortunate people,
and in danger of their lives, and not without several severe bruises,
made fast the chests and boxes once more, while the ship heaved yet more
madly, and rolled from side to side.
The first thing to be done was to remove the corpse from between decks;
but in vain did the second mate beg of the girl to part with her
mother's body to him; she only clasped it more tightly and declared that
she would only part with her in death. In vain did Pastor Hehrmann
endeavour to persuade the poor creature, and to induce her to give way
to the reasonable and pressing request of the seaman; she would not, and
her wild and incoherent words led to fears of the worst for herself; it
was only when, exhausted by the exertions and the horrors of the night,
she fell back in a swoon, that the sailors succeeded in taking from her
the stiffened corpse, which was quickly, then and there, sewed in a
large piece of sail cloth for more convenient transport on deck, and in
order thence to be committed to the deep.
The Captain, meanwhile, had made room in the cabin for Pastor Hehrmann's
family, and had the women at least, and their beds, removed thither.
Mrs. Hehrmann, indeed, was more dead than alive, and she scarcely could
have got through such another night of terror. The Pastor himself no
longer opposed this removal, for he could not help seeing that his
family, although not brought up in luxury, yet never had been exposed to
similar sufferings, and could hardly have borne a life surrounded by
such scenes--but he himself would not forsake the steerage.
There the scene was a shocking one, and pen or pencil would be too weak
to attempt its description.
The corpse was carried by the sailors towards the hatchway, and there
handed to those above, who laid it on a plank and bore it to the lee
side of the vessel.
In spite of the rolling of the ship, in spite of the constant washing
of the waves across the deck, although none other of the passengers, no,
not even the committee, came to his side, the worthy Pastor Hehrmann,
amidst the howling of the storm and the dashing of the waves, spoke a
brief service for the dead over the body of the poor old woman, for whom
the wild waves, instead of the arms of an affectionate son, now waited.
The corpse was then lifted on the edge of the bulwarks, which were
gliding, with an arrow's speed, through the foaming waters, and scarcely
two feet elevated above them, (so inclined was the ship,) and in the
next minute the sea engulfed its victim.
But where, in this time of need and sorrow, was the committee, who had
pledged themselves to provide during the voyage for the well-being and
comfort of the travellers who had confided themselves to their care?
Where was this committee, when all were calling for them, and wished for
their help, or at all events their sympathy? Alas, the poor committee
itself lay in the most pitiable condition, sea sick to a fearful degree,
up and down about the cabin. The Captain could not be blamed if he swore
a little, and declared that in whatever part of his cabin he got to, he
could not help treading upon some member of this "extensive" committee,
who, deaf to everything beside, only sighed and groaned, and called on
death to relieve him from his misery.
When the Captain told them of the case of death in the steerage, M. Von
Schwanthal, raising himself a little by a leg of a camp stool, dolefully
exclaimed, "Alas, who could the old woman be!" and sank back again
exhausted, whilst the other members said nothing, but merely shook their
heads gently and significantly.
Mid-day approached, and the cook's call to dinner was heard, but few
followed this call; and again, scarce a third of these few executed
their bold resolve, under such circumstances, of eating, as well as
fetching, their dinners. The Brewer got as far as the hatchway ladder,
where he remained lying, and was only aroused by a dishful of rice,
which, with its bearer, a journeyman tailor, came flying down on the top
of him. But he bore no malice. Misfortune had made all equal; they
remained lying near each other; and one of the sailors remarked, that
"that was the fattest piece of beef he had ever met with in the
rice-soup."
The sea was majestic to behold--the gigantic waves which were excited,
rolled and lifted up themselves, shaking off, when at their greatest
height, the white foam from their crests, and then plunging down again,
and with their powerful shoulders pressing forward another, often a yet
more gigantic mass of foaming ocean.
Whole companies of large porpoises, rolled and tumbled about in the
angry element, allowed themselves to be lifted up to the very summit of
the waves, and then leapt, as in play, from the descending wave out into
the dark blue flood, streaked and marbled with veins of white foam,
constantly repeating their play anew till they disappeared behind the
watery mountains, and were only visible again for a moment when the ship
was raised on some gigantic wave, and could survey, as from a tower, the
whole excited foaming and boiling desert of water.
The storm lasted during three days; the ship with her jib only set, for
they had been obliged to take in the foresail, drove to leeward, the
rudder was lashed, and the sailors upon duty on deck were obliged to
secure themselves by ropes from being washed overboard by the sea, which
struck over the ship with fearful violence. At last, on the fourth day,
the storm seemed inclined to abate. It is true that the sea ran as high
as before, for the monster could not pacify itself at once; but a hope
was now revived at least of more peaceable times, and that partially
allayed the despair of the passengers; but it was not until the sixth
day, when the sea had almost entirely abated, and the ship flew through
it, leaning on one side, but no longer rocking backwards and forwards
as before, when the sails could be set and the rudder managed, that the
sea-sick recovered, and even some individual members of the committee
made their appearance on deck, pale, and with sunken cheeks and
lack-lustre eyes.
Mrs. Hehrmann improved rapidly in health during the last few days: the
sickness seemed to have exhausted its virulence upon her, and to have
yielded to a stronger nature. Her improvement was almost visible; and
she passed nearly the whole day upon deck, where, attended by her
daughters, and strengthened by the more generous diet of the cabin, she
appeared to absorb new life-juices from the pure sea air.
The poor girl, from whom, when in an unconscious state, they had taken
the dead mother, did not fare so well. Her reason had, it is true,
returned; but she lay in her berth in a high fever. In the stillness of
the night, her mind often wandered to her mother, and in her delirium
she spoke words of comfort to her, and assured her that she would soon,
very soon, see her son again.
The women took the poor creature under their care, and nursed her as
well as they could.
But now the old grudge, which festered in the hearts of the steerage
passengers towards the committee, began to ferment afresh: How much had
not the committee promised, and how little, how very little had it
performed! Were _they_ to bear it quietly, and without grumbling? Were
they to look on, while they were neglected, and, perhaps, even laughed
at behind their backs? Were they to let these fellows carry themselves
so high, while _they_ suffered tortures which they had not before
thought possible? No, they would argue the matter at least; no one could
forbid that; for as to _acting_, unfortunately they had themselves
parted with their weapons for the purpose. For, before leaving Bremen,
where the separate articles of agreement were drawn up, all had by
mutual contract, and by the deposit of a small fund in the hands of the
treasurer, M. Siebert, sen., who was chosen by acclamation, obliged
themselves, upon their arrival in their adopted country, to buy a
certain number of acres of land, as many as their means would permit, in
a district to be chosen by the committee, and, as already stated, to
clear it and to cultivate it in common. For this purpose, there were not
only agriculturists for the tillage itself, but they had also a smith, a
wheelwright, brewer, tailor, shoemaker, glazier, cabinet-maker, weaver,
and almost all other necessary artisans, so that, as observed by the
committee, they were assured against accident, and dependent upon
nobody.
They had even provided themselves with tools; and although the Captain,
before starting, warned them against carrying over German utensils and
tools, and indeed in general, as he expressed it, "from carrying over
German customs, and German iron, and little German silver," yet neither
the committee nor the rest could be brought to see it in this light, and
some seventy hundredweight of agricultural and other implements--such as
axes, hatchets, saws, chains, ploughs, scythes, and even carts and
waggons, had been got on board and brought across. The freight on board
ship, it is true, was not very high, and although the captain here again
called their attention to the expensive carriage to their place of
settlement in America, yet all the members of the committee, with the
exception of the Pastor Hehrmann, who was inclined to believe in the
reasoning of the old seaman, had read too much about America, and the
manners and usages there, not to be aware that tools were very dear in
the interior, and even that in certain places they were not to be had;
it is true that they did not exactly know whether they should alight
upon these certain places; but they thought that they ought to provide
for the worst, since it was possible that they might. The great mass
cordially approved of this; indeed, most of the emigrants could not
imagine how they could work with tools of a different construction from
those to which they had been accustomed from infancy upwards, and in
this particular were well satisfied with their committee.
The expense of the passage and of the land journey to their ultimate
destination was to be defrayed out of the deposited money, and then the
residue was to be applied, so far as it would extend, in the purchase of
land, and the committee undertook to subscribe such funds as might be
required for any further needful expenses themselves. But the committee
were especially to see that a healthy and good tract of land was
selected, and that it should be conveyed and assured to them in due form
as their sole property; for there was not one of the party but had heard
of the frequent occurrence of frauds there, and who did not fear them;
that, then, everything should be divided and allotted, according to
right and justice, as well labour as property; and it was one of the
chief conditions--and indeed one that was of course--that the committee
were, generally, not only in their adopted country, but on the voyage
out, to keep in view the interests of the members who had confided in
them, to protect and to provide for them.
Mr. Becher for this purpose had made an extraordinary address to the
meeting, at the Hull Arms, in Bremen, with which all were particularly
pleased, if for no other cause, because he addressed them invariably as
"Citizens;" one expressed his opinion, before they went on board, that
never before had any one made such a speech to them. They confided
implicitly in the committee; but this concord received a severe shock
from the complete neglect with which the poorer portion of the emigrants
were treated even on board ship; sea-sickness, it is true, quieted their
minds for a time; but the storm which had left the ocean, passed into
the hearts of the steerage passengers, and they would not admit the
propriety of the committee eating their pudding while they got only
bacon and split pease.
It might be borne, the Brewer considered, if they did not carry the
savoury dishes from under their very noses, but that it was just as if
they did it on purpose to make game of them. The steward, or cabin
attendant, namely, was obliged to pass through amongst them, every time
that he carried the dinner into the cabin, and the smell of the roast
meat and pastry had contributed not a little to raise their bile against
the committee.
It happened, one morning, when Pastor Hehrmann (who otherwise always
quieted the dissatisfied by his reasonable representations--remedied
that which he himself considered wrong--and kept the disturbers of the
peace in order,) was seated beside his family, near the wheel, and was
gazing at the broad and sunny expanse, dotted here and there with a
distant sail, that the revolt grew apace, and the good people did, as
most others in their place would have done--they _resolved_ to revolt,
if they did not actually do it.
But, in order to bring their grievances before those who were to blame,
they agreed to send deputies to the committee to represent to the latter
the irregularity of their proceedings; to request a change; and to get
the promise, which they had formerly made, renewed by them, or otherwise
to demand the return of the deposits, so that each of them might again
do as they liked.
This last point, in particular, found many supporters, and so far all
was well; but the little circumstance remained--who was to say all this
to the committee?
Unquestionably the tailor had the best tongue, but he was only a
journeyman. One of them--it was the brewer--therefore proposed Werner,
and all immediately concurred in the choice.
As he was not present, they sent everywhere in search of him, to fetch
him, and to communicate the resolution to him.
But he was sitting up aloft, gazing dreamily, not at the wide rolling
sea, not at the distant ships that steered past with their sunny sails,
not at the sea-mews or the Mother Carey's chickens, that were wantoning
about the Hoffnung, sometimes skimming over the surface of the splashing
waters, as if the top of each wave must reach the bold creatures and
drag them down--sometimes diving with the quickness of lightning into
the flood, as bright as crystal, and coming to the surface again loaded
with their booty; no, he gazed at the steerer, who, wheel in hand, was
looking earnestly, first at the compass, then at the top-gallant sails,
to see that they caught the wind fully.
And who was this helmsman?--some rough strong figure, in a coarse blue
jacket and Scotch bonnet--some bearded physiognomy, with dark brows and
sunburnt features? No; he wore a gay-coloured light dress, a light-blue
silk handkerchief, loosely slung round the white neck, dark curls,
lifted by the soft south wind and fluttering round the dear rosy
face--in short, it was Pastor Hehrmann's elder little daughter,
Bertha--who was here learning to steer the ship from the chief mate, and
indeed showed herself so teachable, that the grave man let her hold the
helm herself and stood looking on, and smiling when the ship would not
immediately answer the rudder, and she leaned with all her strength on
the spokes; and then, when she saw her come round and follow the
prescribed track, merrily shook the long flowing curls from her face;
perhaps, also, at the same time, she stole a shy, pleased glance
upwards--of course merely to observe the sails.
Thrice already had a sailor, dispatched by the brewer, been into the
top, and pressingly requested Werner to come below, before he obeyed the
call; and then, discontented and grumbling at being obliged to quit his
perch, slid down a rope. Hardly had he arrived in the steerage before
all thronged round him, and twenty at once tried to make him comprehend
a story which he could not understand from any of them--at last, he
found out what was passing, and what was wanted of him. However, he
briefly declined the honourable offer, as he called it, giving as his
sole reason for so doing, that he did not belong to the association
formed in Bremen, and consequently had no right to act as its
mouthpiece; that he could not interfere with what the committee might
commit or omit; and that if he were to do so, they would merely have to
ask him what business it was of his, and he should be silenced. He
thanked them in brief and friendly words for their confidence, and
quickly climbed aloft again. Now good counsel was scarce, and they
really knew not whom to choose.
"Well, then," said one of the peasants at last, "I'll go myself; what
need is there for fine speeches? I'll tell them my mind, and what we
have agreed upon."
"That's right, Schmidt," all the others echoed. "You go; you know what
you're about, and you'll tell them what they ought to be told."
No sooner said than done. Schmidt, accompanied by the brewer and the
shoemaker, took his departure with prompt and firm step; had himself
announced to the Captain by a sailor. He came to them immediately; but
on hearing what they wanted, referred them to the cabin, where the whole
of the committee, with the exception of Pastor Hehrmann, were quietly
playing at whist.
The cabin of the Hoffnung was very prettily arranged; everything was of
mahogany, the tables of lighter coloured wood, and the sides surmounted
by a brass edging; the little windows were hung with pink curtains, and
two large massive mirrors were let into the sides, below which were soft
red-coloured sofas.
Poor Schmidt felt quite nervous on entering this splendid cabin, and he
began to stammer a part of his speech, when the elder Siebert, who
observed his embarrassment, and perhaps had some guess of what brought
the people there, with a patronizing air spoke to him, and called him,
"My good man."
This brought old Schmidt round directly; his bile was raised, and he
delivered all that he had got to say in a straightforward manner;
pointed out to the several members their promises, and required their
performance, or else the return of the money which was in their hands.
Pastor Hehrmann, who had followed them below, endeavoured to speak to
him in a friendly spirit, but Schmidt turned sulkily away, and said,
"Oh, I know very well that you mean well, but still the others do as
they like."
"My dear Mr. Schmidt," Mr. Becher now began, "you will pardon me if I
call your attention to one or two little errors in your ideas. You
reproach us with being careless of your welfare; that we are luxuriating
here while you are suffering; that we have every convenience in the
world, as you were pleased to express yourself, while you laid in the
steerage; that we looked down upon you, and intended to tread you and
your honoured friends--allow me, if you please--under foot. But tell me,
my dear Mr. Schmidt, how have we deserved these accusations? What have
we done to arouse your anger?--let me conclude, I beg. We have taken up
our abode here in the cabin, instead of in the steerage with you; but
was not that for your good rather than for our own? Are there not quite
people enough already in that narrow space, without us? and don't we pay
_our own_ hard cash for those conveniences which we enjoy here?
"You reproach us with neglecting you! you must blame the Captain for
that. The rules of the ship are strict; the steerage passengers are not
allowed in the cabin, and as little are the cabin passengers allowed in
the steerage! Do you require greater equality? You say that we feast
here while you starve. Have you not a supply of good healthy food in the
steerage?--meat every day, and plenty of vegetables? coffee in the
morning, tea in the evening, good butter and ship's bread, even a
pudding on Sundays, with plums and syrup? Do you call that starving? or
is the diet bad, eh?"
The three deputies shook their heads with one accord.
"Well, what more have we," the orator continued, "except what we pay
dearly for? We want to tread you under foot! My dear Mr. Schmidt, _how_
have we deserved this accusation? What has happened that could make you
believe such a thing? No; we respect your rights, we feel that we are
all only men; men, the work of the same Creator, and made after his
image, and that we are bound for one adopted country on a single and
mutual object. Gentlemen, I feel myself honoured, in being your equal,
to stand as an equal to such worthy men, and I believe that I may pledge
myself for all my fellow committee-men to these sentiments."
A low murmur of assent was the reply. Pastor Hehrmann had placed himself
at the window, and was looking out at the waves.
"I see," continued Mr. Becher, following up his advantage, "you feel the
truth of what I have just said; but if you consider us selfish, bad
men--if you think that we are capable of deceiving or taking advantage
of you--if you believe that our intentions are not pure and good--well,
there stands Mr. Siebert--he will cheerfully repay the sums which are in
his hands, but at the same time with deep regret that you, my worthy
countrymen, should have entertained distrust towards him and us."
Mr. Becher ceased, and looked down in a melancholy manner. Honest
Schmidt, however, who had expected pride and haughtiness, and was ready
to meet them, had been by no means prepared to be spoken to and received
with so much civility; and being himself an honest upright man, not
readily suspicious of others, he gave Mr. Becher good-heartedly his
hand, which that gentleman pressed and shook warmly, and Schmidt assured
the committee that they must not take it amiss; that he was a little
unpolished and rough, but meant well; and that as he and his friends saw
that the committee were not proud, and intended to perform what they had
promised, there existed no longer any reason why they should ask for a
return of their money, and he would therefore go and tell the rest in
the steerage that everything was settled, and that they had nothing to
fear.
The three deputies then retired, amidst mutual assurances of friendship.
Mr. Becher followed them with his eye until they passed up stairs, and
had disappeared above; he then turned round, and, embracing his friend
Siebert, assured him, with affected tone, (imitating Schmidt's voice,)
that they were all free and equal as the Almighty had created them, and
that they would hold together through trouble and in death.
Mr. Von Schwanthal, meanwhile, with a very long face, shuffled the cards
again and again, and assured these two, who laughed heartily, that it
was no joking matter; that the people were in earnest, and were not
altogether wrong; that for his own part, however, he did not exactly see
_how_ they were to arrange matters in America; for, after all, such a
perfect equality was not easily adopted.
"And _why_ not?" Pastor Hehrmann interrupted him. "If we are all
animated by strong and public-spirited feelings; if we all resolve only
to act in such a manner that the whole may prosper; if we lay aside all
petty, personal objects; if we----"
"But, my dear Mr. Pastor, we want to play whist," young Siebert
interrupted him, laughing. "Let us first get to this land of promise,
and all that will follow as of course."
"Well, I'm content," said Mr. Von Schwanthal, sighing, and handing the
cards to be cut; "I shall be very pleased if all goes well."
Pastor Hehrmann returned upon deck to his family, whilst Becher, Von
Schwanthal, and the two Sieberts continued their game. But Herbold
walked up and down the cabin, with his hands crossed behind him, and
wearing a very thoughtful countenance; and he whistled so loud that at
last Becher begged him, for Heaven's sake, to leave off.
In the steerage, meanwhile, all seemed to be pacified again; the fact
that Mr. Becher had offered to return them their money left no doubt as
to his sincerity: and as to the other points, they were content to
assent to them; all they wanted was, to have their equality
acknowledged, and that the committee should see that they would not "put
up" with anything.
The wind blew pretty favourably from the south-southwest, and the ship
flew along bravely, with all sails set, through the slightly ruffled
waves. They were now off the so-called Bank of Newfoundland, and were
approaching nearer and nearer to the American continent: the captain
even had the lead sounded, but without as yet finding bottom. A glowing
heat lay upon the water, and the burning sun shone almost
perpendicularly down upon the travellers, who felt more and more the
continued monotony of the voyage.
Although squabbles occurred daily in the steerage, yet, in general,
peace was easily restored; the spirits were at rest--almost too much at
rest; for a portion of the Emigrants, especially the Oldenburghers, lay
so immoveably in their berths all day, that there was no getting any
fresh, healthy air below. Werner remained the whole day through upon
deck, for he could not, as he declared, endure the stifling atmosphere
below; and almost all the women complained bitterly of the want of pure
air in their sleeping places. Pastor Hehrmann first tried to rouse these
"immoveables," but in vain; then came Becher, who put to them a number
of cases, showing the evil consequences of so much rest, as he called
it. It was in vain. Even Siebert tried his luck, with the same want of
success. The good folks lay still, and asserted quietly, "That _they_
were quite comfortable--and that those who were not so, might go above;
that they compelled no one to remain below, and could not understand why
they should be compelled to go on deck." In fact, they remained where
they were; and the Committee, at their wits' end, turned at last to the
Captain--he promised a remedy.
At last, one fine morning, when the sun was shining warmly and
refreshingly on deck, he had the idlers asked once more to come upon
deck, and as the summons was unheeded, the word of command was given
down both hatchways, "All on deck!--all on deck!"
This, too, was unavailing; it had been tried several times already. But,
when all the well-disposed had obeyed, and women and children had left
the between-decks, several sailors simultaneously descended the two
hatchways, four of them, provided with pots of tar and red hot irons,
and two with pans of sulphur. When the latter had ignited their
brimstone, the others dipped their irons in the tar, and such a vapour
immediately filled the hold, that the sailors, familiar as they were
with climbing up and down, could scarce find their way into the open
air, where they were received with hurrahs by the Emigrants.
Meanwhile, it fared very ill with the poor "immoveables," who tried in
vain to find their way to the hatchways; they could neither find them
nor their way back to their berths, but were obliged to wrap their
jackets round their heads, and throw themselves on the ground, there,
half suffocated, to await the drawing off of the dreadful smoke. But the
remedy was effectual--for on the following morning, when the voices of
the two sailors were heard at the hatchways, not one passenger was
missing from on deck.
All had now recovered--even the poor girl had got better under the
careful nursing of the women, assisted by some medicines ordered by
Werner, and she met with every assistance and sympathy which she could
expect, under such circumstances and in such a position.
But the longed-for coast now drew nearer and nearer, and the passengers,
by this time grown impatient, expected daily to see the wished-for shore
rise out of the blue distance; the lead had been twice successfully
cast, and the depth found announced the neighbourhood of the coast.
One morning, the glad cry of "Land! land!" resounded in their ears, and
before the eyes of those who were half awake could distinguish the low
blue stripe, almost fading in the horizon, and stretching out towards
the north-west, a charming little cutter shot towards them, with the
speed of an arrow, through the waves; the flag of the United States, the
stars and stripes, fluttered at the mast, and in a few minutes more the
pilot, a tall, haggard-looking man, in a black dress coat, dazzling
white linen, and a large gold watch-chain, sprang, with a bound, up the
ship's side.
With wonder, bordering upon awe, the steerage passengers gazed at the
pilot, who was no sooner on board than he took upon himself the complete
command of the ship, and ordered the sailors about as though he had made
the whole voyage out with them. He was the first actual living American
whom they had seen, and spoke real English.
There remained, however, but short time for astonishment, for the wind
was favourable, and the Captain announced that they should cast anchor
that very evening. Hereupon every one had a variety of little matters to
look after and get in order, and most of them scarcely cast another
glance upon either the pilot or the land.
The magnificent coast stood out more clearly and distinctly every
minute; at first, the mere outline of the hills was discernible, and
certain hollows and promontories--then darker and lighter spots could be
distinguished--the eye was able to separate field from woodland. There a
house started up--is it, perhaps, some farm, inhabited by Germans? Over
yonder, there stand some single trees, and farther to the
right--yes--something moves: it is a flock, there are living creatures
on the shore, and the searching gaze might soon detect men--human
beings--who moved backwards and forwards, and it soon even became a
question of indescribable interest whether that man yonder, to the right
of the projecting tree, and to the left of the red roof, wore--a hat or
a cap! Every trifle was narrowly examined, and it was only when they
came nearer and nearer, and new objects were constantly crowding forward
into notice, that they turned their attention to the grandeur of the
whole scenery.
It was a delightful view. That beautiful bay, with its meadows and its
woods, fields and buildings, its forts and its many ships, bathed in the
magic of a new, unknown, and long-desired country. None of the Emigrants
knew yet the many cares and privations which, perhaps, awaited them
there. None saw in the splendid landscape spread out before them, all
the want, all the sorrow, that reign among the indwellers of this, as of
every other country; they saw only the beautiful sparkling shell, and
concluded that the kernel must of course be good.
Towards evening, the heavy anchor rolled into the deep, and a little
boat, bearing several medical men, and with a yellow flag flying, came
up to them. The doctors examined the state of health of the passengers,
and pronounced it satisfactory.
Still, the "Hoffnung" remained this night without further communication
with the shore, and it was not until the following morning that a little
coasting vessel, with two schooner sails, came alongside, and took the
steerage passengers on board, to conduct them to the Quarantine
Buildings, where their luggage was to be examined, and they themselves
were to remain for twenty-four hours longer.
Here, again, their concord was near being disturbed; for the committee
remained on board. Werner, however, pacified them, by the assurance that
it could not be helped, for that they dared not even go on shore with
them--that such was the regulation; but they would now shortly set foot
on land, and every distinction would cease.
This consoled the people; they assisted to carry over their things to
the Quarantine House, and were soon busily engaged studying the
thousands of names which former emigrants had written in pencil upon the
rough-hewn timbers of which the building was composed. Many a one found
there the name of some old acquaintance, and hastened to incorporate his
own in the general register. Pencils were in demand.
But how many elegant verses, gnawed by the tooth of Time, passed into
decay here in retirement! how many effusions of a pure poetical frenzy,
seizing on the poor exile torn from his home to this foreign, friendless
shore, disappeared, without a trace, among the mass of names! Werner
copied some of them into his pocket book--
"Now we'll all sing Hallelujah,
For we are in America."
Another--
"For all that we've suffered I don't care one button,
Now that we've plenty of fresh beef and mutton!"
Although the Quarantine House was distant a few hundred yards only from
the shore, (it was built like an island in the water,) yet the Emigrants
had hitherto in vain asked for permission to go across. At last some
boats came over, and the cheerful cry, "Ashore! ashore!" resounded from
lip to lip.
All, however, did not avail themselves of the permission; some would not
leave their things, which stood there unprotected; others considered the
fare demanded higher than suited their views; in short, there might be
about fifteen, who, jumping joyously into the boat, were rowed ashore to
their adopted country, whose soil they were now about to set foot on for
the first time.
And now, no doubt, they fell down and kissed the longed-for land, hugged
the trees, shook the Americans as their new brothers heartily by the
hand, embraced them, and in their turn were received by these latter
equally cordially and affectionately, and as newly acquired brethren and
fellow citizens, who had just been endowed with sacred Liberty!
No; they inquired for the nearest tavern, where some fresh bread,
cheese, and beer, were to be had, and were laughed at by the Americans
on account of their speech and their costume. But they found what they
were looking for, and without bestowing a single glance at the town,
which they said they should see enough of by and by, they stormed into
the public room of the inn with joyful haste, "in order to get the salt
taste out of their mouths," as the brewer expressed it.
Their entrance was characteristic. The brewer stepped up to the bar, and
in a deep, sonorous voice pronounced the single word "Beer," but with
such emphasis, with such feeling, with such infinite longing, that one
could see at a glance what the man had suffered since he had been
deprived of its enjoyment. He knew besides that the same word signified
beer in English as in his own language, and, indeed, had already
intimated, on board ship, his conviction that in all languages it must
be called "Beer," for that it could not be expressed otherwise.
Several of the passengers had zealously studied English aboard ship; the
tailor had been particularly industrious in this respect, and he now
determined to make a trial of his acquirements, as he naturally supposed
himself to be surrounded by Englishmen, or rather by persons who spoke
nothing but English. With a face of great importance, therefore, he
walked up to the bar, and asked loudly, and, as he supposed, distinctly,
for a "A porschen hemm," (a portion or plateful of ham.)
He was taken aback very much by the simple answer of the hostess, who,
in broad German, smacking a good deal of the Swabian twang, asked him,
for Heaven's sake, to speak German, for she understood that much better
than his English.
The passengers were not a little pleased to meet with a countrywoman,
who was already in America, and the evening passed with incredible
swiftness, amidst full bowls, and good, strengthening, and long-missed
food.
Werner had remained but a short time beside them, and had gone and
seated himself on the beach, gazing dreamily out upon the wide sea that
had borne him thither. Long and steadfastly did his eye rest upon the
proud ship whose red-and-white chequered flag fluttered in the fresh
wind, resting upon the waters with sails taken in, like some wearied
bird, and only slightly rocked by the gently heaving waves. Yonder
structure contained all to which his heart was attached, and he felt
almost impelled to swim across and climb up its side in infinite
longing.
He still sat there when deep night had sunk upon the misty expanse of
waters, and the hull of the ship and the water on which it rested
disappeared in the dull darkness; the sharp line of the masts alone
stood out in relief against the lighter horizon, in which many a
friendly star glanced through the driving clouds, when he thought that
he heard something move in the bushes behind him--he looked round, he
listened--all was quiet--only the lights shone from out the not distant
houses, and human voices sounded from them over towards him.
He arose; it began to grow cool; the night air was damp; he cast but
another glance towards the peaceful ship, from whose cabin also a light
now shone out, and turned towards the neighbouring inn, when two dark
figures rushed upon him, and at the same instant a blow from a stick,
narrowly missing his temples, at which it was aimed, descended upon him.
"Help!" cried he, seizing one of his aggressors, who he now saw were
negroes, by the throat; but a second better directed blow descended with
fearful force upon his forehead, protected only by a thin cap; his
senses left him, and he sank down unconscious.
How long he might have lain there he knew not; when he came to himself
again he found himself in the midst of his travelling companions in the
Quarantine-house, and the poor girl whom he had healed, and the woman
whose child he had saved, supporting his head and bathing his wounds.
He gazed around in astonishment, for in fact he did not at once
discover where he was, and although awake, he thought he must be
dreaming, when, looking up, he saw the room in which he was, from the
roof of which, consisting of rough-hewn beams, a lantern was suspended,
throwing a dim, indistinct light around--and he heard the words and the
murmur of voices around him. But the women had observed his waking, and
their cheerful call immediately brought all the emigrants round the
couch of the sufferer.
A hundred questions were directed to him simultaneously, and in vain did
he ask himself for an explanation of what had taken place. It was some
time before the tumult was allayed, and he learnt that his cry for
assistance had fortunately been heard, and, as such attacks had
occasionally been made in that quarter before, it had been attended to.
The scoundrels, disturbed by the men who hurried towards them, had
robbed him of nothing besides his purse. His pocket-book, which he
carried in a coat-pocket behind, and which contained the whole of his
little stock of money, had, fortunately, thanks to their speedy
assistance, escaped.
With his purse, he might have lost, according to his statement, some
five or six dollars. But all attempts to overtake the robbers had proved
vain; under cover of the night they had reached the neighbouring woods,
and were secured by them from further pursuit.
Werner soon recovered, and--with a cool bandage round the wound received
from the bludgeon--slept throughout the night softly and tranquilly.
On the following morning a little boat carried him and two other
steerage passengers to the steamboat, which was at hand, and merrily
getting the steam up to start from Staaten Island for New York; but
scarcely had he put foot upon its deck, before he met the eyes of
Bertha, who, standing by her sister's side, had not noticed his arrival,
until she caught sight of his pale face and the white handkerchief tied
round his head.
The blood left her cheeks, as she asked him, in a tremulous voice, what
had happened; but, before he could reply, he felt the hand of Pastor
Hehrmann on his shoulder, who heartily welcomed him, it is true, but
also started back on seeing his pale face. Werner had to relate what had
occurred, and Bertha listened with palpitating heart and half-opened
lips.
The remaining members of the committee now joined them, and pitied young
Werner, heartily. Becher was of opinion that he had received a
"striking" proof of the evil disposition of the negroes.
At last, after the expiration of about half an hour, the steamer,
passing rapidly through a number of small craft and vessels, went on its
course towards the immense city of New York, which, with its mass of
houses, surrounded by a forest of masts, spread itself out before them.
The elder Siebert, who had formerly lived four years in the United
States, undertook the care of their luggage, and gave directions to some
carters, whose numbers he took, and then passed on, leading the way,
with his travelling companions, through the, to him, familiar streets,
towards Hudson-street, where they had obtained the address of a good
French boarding-house; for, as Siebert assured them, there were few good
German inns at New York, although their number extended to several
hundreds.
Their sea voyage was thus happily accomplished, and they now only
awaited the arrival of the rest of their fellow passengers, which was to
take place on the following day, in order to discuss and execute their
plans for the further journey, as all were agreed that too long a stay
in New York was to be avoided--first, on account of the loss of time,
and, secondly, of the considerable expense.
Mr. Siebert promised to make inquiries forthwith as to the most
advantageous neighbourhood for a settlement, and to communicate the
information to the committee.
CHAPTER II.
A WEEK IN NEW YORK.
Hotly and oppressively did the sun shine down upon the mirror-like
surface of Staaten Island Bay, the next day, when the boat, containing
the steerage passengers of the Hoffnung, reached the Quay at New York,
and threw its ropes ashore. The sailors had not had time to make fast
before a complete flood of persons pressed forward from every side from
which it was possible to get upon deck, and crowded every corner and
gangway of the vessel.
A great number of those who jumped on board to welcome the fresh-comers
to their new home appeared to be actuated, not by curiosity only, but
also by zeal to make themselves useful, and without looking round they
seized upon boxes and chests, and seemed inclined to empty the whole
vessel.
"Hallo there! where are you off to with that chest," cried the brewer,
seizing at the same time the above-mentioned article of luggage with
both hands, and dragging it from the shoulders of a sturdy negro, who
was just about to step on shore with it.
The black, it is true, explained his intentions in few words, but as the
brewer unfortunately could not understand a syllable of what he was
saying, he merely shook his head, and carried back his chest to the
remainder of his luggage. The same sort of thing occurred to all the
rest, until at last the master of the boat interfered, drove the
intruders back, and the few seamen on board, with the willing assistance
of the Germans themselves, got the whole of the passengers' things on
shore, and several of the emigrants kept watch by them. This last
measure seemed a very necessary one, for, as carrion vultures surround a
dying animal, so did carters, black and white, surround the piled-up
boxes, impatiently waiting the moment when each of them might carry off
his load.
Pastor Hehrmann, the elder Siebert, and Mr. Becher, now joined them, and
after a hearty shaking of hands with their fellow travellers on the so
longed-for terra firma, took counsel how best to lodge them properly,
since they could not well all find room together in one tavern.
Many had brought with them the addresses of "good" German inns in New
York, obtained through acquaintances or relations who had formerly
sojourned at them, and found them comfortable. Others were directed to a
so-called "German Boarding House" in Pearl Street, and a large number,
including nearly all the Oldenburghers, determined to remain on the
Quay, where they saw three German public-houses side by side, as well to
have a view of the shipping as to save the money required for the
removal of their luggage, which they at once got on their own shoulders,
and carried across into the "Schweitzer's Heimat," (the Switzer's Home.)
Siebert advised them not to take up their quarters at these waterside
public-houses, but they had made up their minds; they listened, it is
true, patiently to his representations and arguments, but still went and
did as they wished.
Mr. Siebert now exhorted each of them to be careful in noting accurately
the number of the cart which carried his property, so that, in the event
of their being separated from it, they might not lose their little all,
and he then started, with a portion of his fellow travellers, towards
the boarding-house, whilst several two-wheeled carts, with their
baggage, accompanied them.
In less than two hours the whole company was scattered; and we will now
follow the Oldenburghers for a moment, who, persecuted by the jokes and
jeers of the carters plying on the quay, carried their heavy chests into
the inn, in front of which hung a gaudy sign, intended to represent a
Swiss landscape, with the subscription "Schweitzer's Heimat."
The landlord, who was a fat man, and who might have passed for a
good-natured looking fellow, had it not been for a slight cast in his
eye, met them at the door, and called to them, in a not-to-be-mistaken
Swiss dialect, to carry their things up into the large saloon.
The thing was sooner said than done--for it was no easy matter to get
the colossal boxes and chests up the narrow and steep staircase.
However, they succeeded at last, and found themselves in a very large
roomy apartment, which might claim the title of a "saloon," and
contained about twenty double beds, while beside these, in two long
rows, there stood a number of boxes and bags. Immediately afterwards,
their host followed, and indicated a particular corner for their
luggage.
"Are there more people to sleep here, then?" inquired one of the
Oldenburghers, who began, perhaps, to think the thing rather
uncomfortable.
"Yes," replied our host, "we are a little crowded for the moment, but
to-morrow many of them are going away, and if you will only make
yourselves comfortable for to-night, the matter can be arranged."
"And two have to sleep in one bed?" asked another.
"It might happen," replied the landlord, "that we might be compelled to
accommodate three in some of them; it's only for one night, and you are
not spoiled--on board ship, things are worse, I know;" he laughed, and
descended the steep stairs.
"Yes, that's true enough--on board ship it's worse still. But upon my
word, I don't see why on that account it should not be otherwise here in
New York."
The others comforted him with "Well, it's for one night only!" and
easily pacified, they walked down to the bar-room, where a kind of
barman, half sailor, half waiter, stood behind a counter covered with
unwashed glasses, and filled liquors for the guests out of pitchers and
bottles.
Tobacco smoke and noise filled the room, and the sound of curses and
laughter, of violence and hallooing, met them at their entrance. They
called for a can of cider, it is true, in an unoccupied corner--but they
did not feel at home or comfortable there, and determined, at last, to
go and have a look at New York.
Meanwhile, Mr. Siebert had led his protegées to a somewhat more decent
and better house; and the brewer, the little tailor, the shoemaker, and
old Schmidt, the quondam ambassador to the committee, took a room
together. But the shoemaker was in despair, for one of his chests,
containing all the tools of his trade, and many other things, was
nowhere to be found. He had last seen it upon the shoulders of a negro,
who was walking behind the cart containing the other luggage, but
distracted by the gaudily-ornamented shops, he had lost sight of the
black suddenly, and neither him nor the chest did he ever see again.
All inquiry was in vain, and he was now convinced how much reason Mr.
Siebert had to recommend particular attention to their property.
The others felt themselves the more comfortable, and the little tailor
declared it was worth while to travel to America, if it were only to
look at the streets and the people. Soon afterwards they were summoned
to dinner, and in the large room of the house they found a long table
spread, at which all of them, without distinction of rank, took their
seats, and were allowed to torture their teeth with some very tough
beef.
The dinner was not particularly good; but a glass of cider, which they
got with it, consoled them, and a stroll through the town was agreed
upon by all the Germans immediately after dinner. The shoemaker alone
remained behind, in order to prepare a pot of his new expeditious
blacking, with which he hoped to earn something, and to reimburse
himself somewhat for the loss of his chest.
But what splendour, exceeding anything they had imagined, met their eyes
in the broad and handsome streets which they wandered through; what
gold, and silver, and costly stuffs, gleamed in all the windows and
shops; they could not gaze enough, and stopped continually at
newly-discovered beauties with fresh astonishment. But they were
particularly delighted with the number of small two-wheeled trucks,
drawn about the streets by men, full of the finest pine-apples,
cocoanuts, and oranges; and no sooner did the brewer learn that a
pine-apple (which, in Germany, as he had heard, would cost a couple of
dollars) might be bought here for as many groats, than he bargained for
a whole armfull; the others were not behindhand, and they filled the
vacuum which the dinner had left in their stomachs with fruit.
The little tailor, on the other hand, could not get over his
astonishment at the number of clothes'-shops, for in some streets every
third house seemed to be a tailor's workshop; when stopping suddenly
before one of these, as if petrified, he stared at a small shield, upon
which there was this notice, both in English and German, "Five hundred
Journeymen wanted."
"Hallo!" he cried, "that's what I call a master. But by this and by
that, he must pay good wages, if he can employ so many people! Hark ye,
I'll go in and try."
"What are you going to be at inside, then, Meier?" asked Schmidt, of the
tailor; "haven't you engaged to go with us, and actually paid for your
share of the new farm?"
"Oh, that be hanged!" said the tailor; "if I could get work at such a
master's, I should be much better off."
"That don't signify," said the brewer; "your word is your word, and you
must come with us! Who else is to sew all our clothes?"
"Well," said the tailor, "but if brilliant prospects should present
themselves to me here, the Committee would surely allow me to accept
them; for to remain all one's life a poor journeyman tailor----"
"All that don't matter," replied the brewer; "you've paid your deposit,
and go you must! This was the object of having all the articles written
down, in order that, afterwards, nobody might do as they pleased."
"At all events, I'll ask the question," cried the little fellow,
quickly; "a question can't hurt, and perhaps it may be of use
hereafter."
With these words he walked in, accompanied by the others, who were
curious to see the interior of such a shop, and he was not a little
astonished to find the master a German, and moreover an Israelite, who
in very polite terms asked him what he wanted, and what articles he
would allow him to show him?
"Oh!" said the little man, rather abashed; "I'm only a
tailor--and--should like to inquire after work; you have given notice
outside that five hundred----"
"Yes, that was three days ago," the clothes-dealer interrupted him,
suddenly changing his tone altogether. "Since then, I've engaged four
hundred and sixty--indeed, I should have liked to make up the five
hundred, but as most of the work is already arranged, I could only pay
the rest very small wages; besides, most of our summer clothing is made
by sempstresses. However, you may work a week on trial. You're only just
arrived, aint you?"
The tailor answered in the affirmative, wondering at the same time how
the man could know this.
"Well, then," continued the other, "as I said, you may work a week on
trial, and I'll pay your board--if we suit each other, at the end of
the time, we can enter into an engagement."
"We'll consider it, meanwhile," said the brewer, going away, and
dragging the little tailor, who offered little resistance, after him, by
his coat tails, out of the shop.
"What a lot of clothes were hanging in there!" said Schmidt, when they
got outside again.
"I wonder where he puts his four hundred and sixty journeymen to," said
the little tailor, looking up towards the house; "that must be something
like a workshop!"
"He's no fool," the brewer rejoined; "he wants to get you to work a week
for nothing--a pretty arrangement, that!"
"But it may be the custom here, you know," said the tailor.
"Oh, I wish they may get it!" replied the brewer; "if that's the custom,
I won't stay in America. But, hallo! if there aint the Oldenburghers
coming along!"
It was them, in fact, who, like their fellow-travellers, staring into
every shop, came up the street, and were not a little pleased to meet
with their old acquaintances so suddenly. On board ship, they had almost
ceased to look at each other, from anger and hatred; but here, in a
foreign country, where everything met them coldly and indifferently, and
everybody seemed to be only trying if they could squeeze money out of
them in some way or other, their old quarrels had vanished, and they
shook hands like brothers.
Of course, they continued their stroll together, and for several hours
more traversed the principal streets of New York; but who shall describe
their embarrassment when the setting sun reminded them of their return,
and not one of them could find their way back, or had even any idea in
which direction their several inns were situate.
They walked in vain, with quickened pace, through the straight streets,
which all cross each other at right angles, no longer admiring the gaudy
show of the wares exposed for sale--at last, not even honouring them
with a glance.
Suddenly, they met a man who certainly must be a German: the long blue
coat--the high-crowned and broad-brimmed hat--the short pipe--there
could be no mistake. Schmidt accordingly walked confidently up to him,
and taking off his hat, bade him good day, and inquired whether he had
the honour to address a German. The man thus accosted, however, stared
at him awhile, and seemed in doubt whether he should answer or not; at
last, he drew a long whiff from his short pipe, stared at the Emigrants
all round, one after the other, and answered, in a drawling tone--"Yes."
"Oh, then, perhaps you can tell us the way to Perl, or Pirl Street?"
(for they had all, by this time, noticed the meaning of the English
word, "Yes.")
"What number?" asked their countryman, who was sparing of words, looking
this time upwards towards the roof of the houses.
What number!--oh, yes, there they all were, but not one could remember
it. Schmidt owned this at last, and added--
"Well, the street can't be so _very_ long; if we can only get to the one
end of it--I know the house, if I see it again. Whereabouts is Pearl
Street?"
"There--and there--and there!" said their friendly countryman, pointing
up the broad street in which they were standing, then down again, and
then to the left, towards a cross street; and, puffing another long
cloud from his pipe, left the Germans looking at each other.
"There--and there--and there!" said the tailor, at last, after a pause.
"Oh my! he must be making game of us--the street can't go all round
about!"
But the street did go all round about--at least, it took a large curve,
and the poor devils might have stood there a long time, without knowing
what to do, had not a more obliging countryman of theirs at last
assisted them, and put them on their road again.
The Committee, in the meanwhile, had made themselves pretty comfortable
at the French tavern, in Hudson Street, whither several of the steerage
passengers had followed them, and a large meeting was convened to be
held there on the fourth day, in order to agree upon the next measures
to be taken, and to determine what was to be done. In the interim, the
elder Siebert had been busily engaged collecting more accurate
information concerning the interior of the country, and the fittest
place for a settlement, and had made the acquaintance of a certain Dr.
Normann, who promised to lend him a helping hand, as he had already,
according to his own account, been serviceable to many Germans in this
particular, and they could trust him the more implicitly as he did not
make a business of it, but merely did it out of friendship for his
countrymen.
He accordingly accompanied Siebert to several vendors of land, and
appeared at last, according to his statement, to have met with a
particularly good thing for the emigrants. It was a piece of land in
Tennessee, situate about thirty miles west of the lively little town of
Jackson, where good water, a healthy locality, first-rate soil, and the
neighbourhood of a navigable river, the Big Halchee, on which several
mills were already erected, promised every possible advantage for
settlement.
Pastor Hehrmann objected that they could not very well undertake such a
long land journey, because they had so much luggage; but the provident
Doctor had an answer ready to this--he assured them, that their
destination being only about fifteen miles from the Mississippi, they
would have to travel that short distance only by land, but that every
other quarter mile of their journey might be passed by water, and _that_
either in a ship by sea to New Orleans, and thence up the Mississippi
River to the mouth of the Big Halchee, which was known to every captain,
or by steamer or canal-boat to the Ohio, and then down that river into
the Mississippi.
The latter route was determined upon unanimously by the Committee, for
they would not expose themselves again to all the dangers and
discomforts of a sea voyage; and the principal object of all only now
remained to be fixed--viz., the price to be paid for the land. Here
again there appeared to be no difficulty, for the terms were to be as
follow:
The piece of ground[1] consisted of fifteen acres of cleared land, but
which, certainly, had not been cultivated for five years past; but
Herbold thought that the soil would only be the richer for that. These
fifteen acres were surrounded by a fence ten rails high, (but which,
probably, would require a little repair here and there,) and further, a
curing-house, a small kitchen, a stable, and a small crib for Indian
corn. All these edifices were detached--together with the absolute
property in one hundred and sixty acres of land covered with splendid
wood, which were to be sold at an average price of four dollars per
acre, or six hundred and forty dollars cash for the whole, and the
purchasers were to have a formal deed of conveyance.
The price seemed extraordinarily reasonable; for, although it is true
that the so-called Congress-land, or the tract of country not yet
occupied by individuals, and belonging to the government of the United
States, is sold at the cheap price of a dollar and a quarter per acre,
yet it does not consist of any portion of cleared land, nor of
buildings, which undoubtedly must make a great difference. Dr. Normann
affirmed besides, that it was always a good sign of the fertility of the
soil of a tract of land, that people had formerly settled on it, for
that the whole surrounding district was open to them, and of course they
would not choose the worst. The committee comprehended these reasons
completely, and determined to lay the plan before the next meeting, and
make arrangements accordingly.
Young Werner had meanwhile settled himself in the same inn with the
Hehrmanns, although he had hitherto formed no definite resolution as to
his plans for the future. His heart urged him to remain with the
Society, and Dr. Normann also strongly counselled this; but his former
plans had been, first of all, to wait upon several merchants in
Philadelphia and Boston, and to deliver his letters of introduction, in
order to be enabled, under their guidance, easily and surely to begin
some new occupation, in a country where he was a stranger. It was when
things were in this position, on the second evening, and whilst he with
Pastor Hehrmann and other guests were sitting smoking a cigar, in the
street before the inn, that he made the acquaintance of a young man, a
German by birth, who, coming from Kentucky, had traversed nearly all the
northern states, and now visited New York city for the first time. He
had been in America from his childhood, and knew the country thoroughly;
but he shook his head doubtfully when he heard, in the course of
conversation, of the agreement which all the Germans had mutually
entered into, to found a settlement in common.
"My dear Mr. Hehrmann," said the young Kentuckian, "you must not be
offended that a young man like myself should presume to offer you
advice; but I have experience on my side. These settlements in common do
no good, and you will live to see the result of yours. Somehow or other
we Germans agree with difficulty (unless we absolutely must); and here,
in America, there is no _must_ in the case. The country is too large;
the prospects and openings are too many and too various, and
consequently societies generally dissolve themselves quickly, and for
the most part in a very unpleasant manner; and besides," he continued,
stepping closer, and in a suppressed voice, "I don't quite trust this
Dr. Normann; I have an impression that I have met the man before
somewhere, under no very honourable circumstances, but I can't exactly
remember where, and therefore will not positively affirm it. However, be
that as it may, take care, and pay particular attention that you have
the so-called 'deed' or instrument conveying the right of property."
"But come, Mr. Werner," said he to the latter, "we'll take a walk down
to the quay together; there are many things to be seen there which will
interest you, and besides you don't know enough of New York yet." With
these words, he took Werner's arm, and lounged down Hudson-street
towards the Battery, and then to the left to the waterside, to the same
spot where the steerage passengers of the Hoffnung had landed a day or
two before.
As they were wandering along the narrow quay which separates the houses
from the water, observing the arrival and departure of the shipping,
they perceived an unusual crowd of people assembled in front of one of
the German taverns which stand there side by side--in fact, before that
very one where the Oldenburghers had put up. They walked forward to
ascertain the cause.
Just as they had pressed on sufficiently to obtain a view of the
entrance of the house, the door, which up to that time had been closed,
was suddenly opened, and a man, who was received by the people outside
with loud hurrahs, was violently ejected, and the door instantly closed
behind him.
A thousand different witticisms and jeers welcomed him; but he appeared
neither to hear nor to see what was passing around him, but only tried
to get out of the crowd.
He was passing close to the two young men, when the Kentuckian laid his
hand upon the man's shoulder, and exclaimed with surprise:
"Müller! where do you come from? and in this blackguard hole? I thought
you were quiet and contented in Indiana."
"Oh, Mr. Helldorf, is that you?" replied the stranger. "Yes, bad enough
to be here, and to go back thus; but the devil take this den of
thieves--I've been cheated out of all that I could call mine."
"But how is that possible?" asked Werner.
"Possible!" said the other, laughing bitterly; "what is not possible in
these German taverns in America? But come away from here; my blood
boils, from merely breathing the air of the neighbourhood of this
pestilent hole; come along, and I will relate to you my story, and that
of thousands more, who have lost, and will lose, all they possess in the
same way."
The three men walked some paces in silence, side by side, when the poor
German thus began:--
"It is now two years since I landed here in a French ship from Havre; I
had not a single acquaintance in all America, nor did I consider that I
required one, but relied on my own strength and perseverance, for I was
healthy and strong, and called about fifteen dollars in ready money, and
a large chest full of linen and clothes, my own: what more did I want? I
went, as being near the landing-place, into this godless house. Had I
only kept my eyes open, the first view must have betrayed the character
of the crib to me; but, as it was, I thought I could make shift in it;
paid my two dollars and a half per week for board, and tried to find
work. In vain did I run about daily; the times were bad; I could not
speak English, and besides I would not undertake any kind of work that I
did not thoroughly understand, and thus months passed by, during which
the landlord, when I returned of an evening, unsuccessful, consoled me,
and obliged me to drink, at which he was always ready to give me the
benefit of his company. It is true that I was not then aware that,
according to an American custom, I had to pay for both glasses, as well
for that which he drank as for my own; or, rather, that he chalked it
up.
"Ultimately, he got my last dollar, and I wanted to leave, with about
fifty cents in my pocket, and go to work somewhere or other, if only for
my board, but he still persuaded me to remain. He would arrange the
matter, he said; something or other would turn up some of these days,
and I was not to let my spirits droop; that I knew very well that I
might have credit with him, and that I need have no anxiety about that.
Fool that I was, I followed his advice.
"Thus a fortnight more passed away, and my debt to him, for board and
drink, might perhaps amount to six dollars, when, one Saturday evening,
he called me aside, and declared that he could not feed me for nothing
any longer, and that I must look about for a lodging elsewhere. I then
informed him of my total inability to pay, which, besides, he knew very
well before, and offered him some of my shirts in lieu of payment; for I
told him he need not suppose that I wanted to cheat him; he declined
this, on the pretence that he could not mix himself up with barter of
that kind; that he wanted money, and not linen, to pay for his liquors
and his provisions; and that if I were not in a position to pay money
then, I had better look about and see where I could earn some, and that,
meanwhile, he should retain my chest as a security.
"I was quite content--for the things would have been an incumbrance to
me in my wanderings--took, therefore, two shirts and a couple of pairs
of socks out of my box, and wrapped them in a pocket handkerchief, and
left the remainder, with the key, in his hands, with the request to have
the things occasionally taken out and exposed to the air, to prevent
them from rotting.
"I then left this place on foot, and, with a few cents in my pocket,
made my way to Indiana, where, at last, I found work; and _you_ know,
Mr. Helldorf, _how_ I worked there, in order to get my living honestly.
When, at last, I had earned the necessary sum, beside enough to defray
the journey, I came hither to redeem my box, for, meanwhile, my shirts
were worn out. This morning I arrived, and went immediately to yonder
rascal. Do you suppose that he knew me again? Do you suppose that he
knew anything about a chest belonging to me? Confusion!--the fellow was
wearing one of my own shirts at the very moment when he denied ever
having seen them. I could contain myself no longer, but knocked him
down; his accomplices, however, got hold of me, and turned me out of
doors; and here I am again, with, the exception of a few dollars, and of
much experience, as rich, or rather as poor, as before."
"But you will go to a lawyer, surely," said Werner, indignantly--"won't
you? That must be the shortest way."
"Do you think so?" asked the German, looking sideways at him; "you have
not been long in America, if you call that the shortest way; I should
have costs to pay, and trouble and delay besides, and should never see
an article of my linen either--that's lost; but Heaven have mercy on
that rascal, if he ever crosses my path again."
"Never mind, Müller," said Helldorf, deprecatingly; "like thousands of
others, you have paid dearly for your experience, and should rather feel
obliged to the rogue, on that account, than otherwise; another time,
keep a better look out; you know the American saying: 'No German can
earn, or rather save, a cent in America until he has got rid of his last
European penny.' You have now done with your European property: work
hard, and you'll soon earn something again."
Müller shook his head; acknowledged, however, the truth of what he
heard, and, after a little reflection, shook hands with Helldorf; bowed
to Werner, and went up Broadway back into the town.
Young Helldorf related to his newly acquired friend many other things
concerning the German inns, not only in New York, but throughout the
whole United States, and which being, for the most part, established by
people who are afraid of work, appear in no way to serve the convenience
of travellers, but are merely money-boxes for their landlords, into
which every passer-by may cast his mite, without receiving the least
service, or even thanks in return. At last the two young people reached
the boarding-house, in Hudson-street, and separated for the night.
The Committee had undoubtedly chosen one of the best, as well as one of
the most reasonable inns in New York; nevertheless, all its members were
compelled to submit to the custom prevailing throughout nearly all the
United States--that two people should sleep in one bed--which is only
tolerable when several friends are together; and highly repulsive when
one is thrown among strangers. The Committee at first refused to comply
with this custom on any condition, and M. Von Schwanthal said that it
was opposed to all propriety and manners; but it was of no use, the
house was pretty full, and though they might perhaps have had a bed
each, they would have been obliged to make room in their beds for any
stranger who might chance to arrive during the night. They chose the
less disagreeable alternative of being among friends, at all events, and
agreed, as well as they could, about their couches. Hehrmann's family
took possession of a little room to themselves.
Meanwhile it fared dreadfully with the poor Oldenburghers, at the
Switzer's home, where, with admirable stoicism, packed three and three
in a bed, they exposed themselves to the attacks of innumerable
squadrons of bugs. They had not even wherewithal to get a light, in
order to see the extent of their misery. Grumbling and swearing, they
lay till morning. Sleep was out of the question; and it was only towards
the approach of dawn, when their tormentors withdrew, that, completely
exhausted, they fell into an uneasy, unrefreshing sleep, out of which
they were shortly awakened by the screeching voice of the maid, who
called them to breakfast.
They reproached the landlord bitterly, and assured him that it was
impossible that they could endure such another night. He, too, promised
a change, and gave them his word that they should sleep more quietly
next night; but, to their by no means agreeable surprise, they learned
how he usually kept his word. They certainly lay somewhat more quietly,
for they were so wearied that the exhausted body compelled sleep, but
everything else remained as before; even their position, three in a bed,
was not bettered.
They, therefore, came to the heroic resolution, on the ensuing morning,
to shift their quarters, cost what it might; it cost, however, the
amount of a week's board, which they had been obliged to pay in advance,
and of which the landlord refused to return one cent; on the contrary,
he abused them besides, and told them his opinion that his house was
much too good for such peasant fellows as they. Notwithstanding, they
carried out their determination, and aided by a carter (a German who had
spoken to them in the street,) removed to the tavern of their
fellow-travellers, the situation of which they had by this time
discovered.
But they found these latter in no enviable condition, for the fruit, of
which they had partaken so heartily, had made them all ill; and the poor
little tailor was so bad that, as he said himself, "he could hardly
support himself on his pins." Besides this, the brewer had met with a
peculiar mishap, for when the alarm of fire arose, for the first time in
the night, (which hitherto had been the case twice each night) he jumped
in wild haste out of bed to the window half asleep, and upset over
himself the whole pot full of the shoemaker's newly-discovered and
prepared blacking, and at the same time was so ill and miserable that he
would not suffer any of them to come near him to clean him; even the
shoemaker was not permitted to scrape off the most of it, as he
expressed himself. The brewer was obstinate, and insisted on dying in
the blacking.
The Oldenburghers found room in this house; and if the bugs were pretty
nearly as bad as at the waterside, still the whole place looked a little
cleaner and more civilized, and they had to sleep only two in a bed.
Besides, the sick soon recovered themselves, and as the day fixed for
the consultation drew near, all who were to take part in it were well
enough to give their attendance.
Mr. Siebert had fixed two o'clock in the afternoon for the meeting, and
the four comrades, Schmidt, the brewer, the tailor, and the shoemaker,
lounged off, down Pearl-street, immediately after dinner, in order not
to be too late.
They had stood about before a great number of shops, now viewing the
many curiously-bound books and coloured engravings, now admiring in
astonishment the little shops of the money-changers, in whose windows
lay long rows of bank-notes and scattered heaps of gold, and
strange-looking silver coin; now staring after the gaudily-dressed
negresses and mulatto women, who in their turn honoured the gaping party
of "Dutchmen" with a broad grin; when the tailor suddenly called the
attention of the rest to a sign opposite, which bore the picture of a
small striped pig, over which was an inscription, "Entrance, 6¼ cents."
"What is to be seen there, then?" said Schmidt.
"Oh!" quoth the tailor, "don't you see, it's all over stripes; but it
seems to me very small."
"Shall we go in?" asked the Brewer; "it only costs a sechser,"[2] (six
cents.)
"Yes, the devil take the sechsers!" said the shoemaker, with an
important shake of the head; "one of their sechsers is just as quickly
spent as a sechser with us at home, and yet yonder it's only six
pfennings, and here it's four-and-twenty! I won't go with you; I have
too much need of my few kreutzers, for the brewer had the blacking that
I hoped to earn a couple of dollars by."
"But, shoemaker," said the brewer, "don't be offended, but that
was--very--well, I don't know how to express myself mildly enough--but
_very_ stupid of you, just when there was an alarm of fire to put your
blacking in the window."
"Well; but how could I tell that there was going to be a fire?" asked
the other, surprised.
"Well, perhaps not exactly; yet--never mind, shoemaker, that can be made
up again, and the six cents can't cling to your heart now; so come
along--we must have a look at this wonderful creature."
With these words he stepped forward, and immediately afterwards,
accompanied by his companions, walked through a small glass door covered
with a green curtain, into the house.
The interior of the narrow and low room which they now stepped into, by
no means resembled a menagerie in other respects, for on the right hand
stood a small table, like a bar-counter, covered with bottles and
glasses, and several persons were seated, or lounged about the room,
while, on the left-hand was fixed a square box with wire trellis-work,
something like a rather massive bird-cage, and therein sat a little
innocent pig, on which one might faintly recognise the wonderful stripes
which passed across his body.
The four Germans paid their six cents and a quarter and viewed the pig.
The shoemaker, however, shaking his head, thought it very hard that one
should pay so much money to see a creature like that.
"And it has no stripes!" cried the tailor.
"Wait awhile," said a man standing behind the table, in German, but with
a strange sounding foreign accent, "it will soon have some."
"Stripes!" said the brewer, surprised.
"Ahem!" nodded the stranger; "but wont you have something to drink?" he
continued, getting out some glasses. "What do you take, brandy, whisky,
cider, wine, beer."
"Beer! by all means," said the brewer.
"No," declared the shoemaker, "I won't have anything to drink--six cents
for such a sight as that, and six more cents for a drink! No; to stand
that I must have stolen my money, and found my box again!"
"The drinking costs thee no more," the barman declared.
"Why do you 'thee' and 'thou'[3] me, then?" asked the shoemaker,
somewhat nettled.
"Thou speakest so prettily, how else shall I call thee?"
The shoemaker was about to make some angry reply, but the little tailor
poked him in the ribs, and said, "Don't be a fool, but let him talk in
his own fashion--he says the drinking is to cost nothing."
"Well, I don't care," said the shoemaker; "he might as well be a little
more civil."
The men had just stepped up to the table, and had their beverages handed
to them, when, to their inexpressible wonder, a tall man, with a light
blue dress coat, of coarse cloth, with bright buttons, chicory-coloured
trowsers, and a black hat, worn rather back on his head, holding a
paint-pot in the left hand, and a long brush in his right, walked in
and, without changing countenance in the least, or troubling himself
about those around him, went up to the box where the bristly little
prodigy was kept, took his brush between his teeth while he opened the
lid, and then with bold strokes of the brush, but in perfect repose of
mind, began to freshen up the rubbed off stripes of the grunting
quadruped.
"I say," quoth the brewer, nudging the tailor, "look!--see, how he is
manufacturing natural curiosities."
"Oh my!" exclaimed the little man in his turn, "and we must pay six
cents for _that_!"
The men who were in the room laughed immoderately at the surprise of the
Germans; and the barman observed to them, in perfect good faith, "There,
you see, you've learnt something new again!"
But the shoemaker was indignant; he pulled his hat over his brows, and
immediately forsook the house, accompanied by his companions, without
bestowing another look at either the people or the _lusus naturæ_.
"I never--why that beats cockfighting!" cried the little tailor, when
they were outside again. "I never heard of such a thing; why, those
fellows have the impudence of the devil himself."
"Well, we shall do well in America, if this is to be taken as an omen,"
laughed Schmidt, "but I wonder that the police should suffer such a
trick. Couldn't one inform against the fellow?--why, it's a--regular
cheat."
"Yes, that would be a great deal of good," replied the tailor. "We dare
not tell of it, for if we do, they'll only laugh at us, besides----But,
hallo, brewer! where are you off to?" he called after him, as that
worthy, who had suddenly stopped, as if in reflection, now turned and
ran quickly back--"have you forgotten anything?"
But he got no answer. The brewer ran, as fast as his legs would carry
him, back to the drinking-shop which he had just left; but while they
were yet gazing after him in wonder, he came back again, with a very
cross face, and joined them. "What have you forgotten, then?" asked all
of them at once.
"Oh!" replied the brewer, peevishly, "I was so taken aback by that
precious pig, that I left my beer only half drunk out, and now they've
poured it away, and grinned at me besides for coming back for it."
He fared no better with his companions; and laughing and talking over
what had just occurred, stopping before every shop, they wandered slowly
towards the place of meeting.
Business had not yet commenced, and the passengers of the "Hoffnung"
were standing about in groups in the large dining-room of the tavern;
the only strangers present were Dr. Normann and young Helldorf. But the
little tailor could not contain himself any longer, and although the
four companions in misfortune had come to the resolution to keep their
adventure secret, still he related it to Pastor Hehrmann, who, with
young Werner, Dr. Normann, and Mr. Helldorf, stood at one of the
windows.
"My dear friend," the doctor said, in a very affable manner, by way of
consolation, "you have by no means been cheated; that's a house where I
am very well known, and where I often look in, for the people there keep
the best of liquors."
"But, my good doctor," objected Pastor Hehrmann, "if they pretend to
show a natural curiosity, and take money for it, that cannot be excused
by any means."
"The thing has two sides," the doctor replied; "they take the money, it
is true, but then they give their visitors something to drink in return.
Did you not get what liquor you called for? Such was the case. Well,
then, you had value for your six cents. The striped pig is only there in
order to give the landlord the opportunity of selling his liquors
without being compelled to pay the high tax which is levied upon all
other drinking rooms. He is not forbidden--nobody can forbid him--from
showing any natural wonder, or any creature indeed, were it even a
common rat; and if he receives six cents for the view of his striped
pig, and gives his visitors some liquor for nothing, why, he doesn't
_sell_ his brandy, and consequently need not pay for a licence for so
doing."
"Well, that _is_ a dodge," said the tailor.
"There are many other ways and means besides," the doctor continued,
"to evade this law, which, strictly speaking, is by no means an unjust
one, but is intended to prevent the too great increase of
drinking-shops. For example, in Nassau-street, there is a man who keeps
brandy and cigars--the cigars are _very_ bad; however, he charges six
cents a piece for them, and gives a drink into the bargain. In Boston,
not long since, chemists only were permitted to retail spirituous
liquors, but that did not prevent the publicans from doing so; they
procured some large bottles, had them filled with blue and red coloured
water, put a few glasses, with herbs and tea and such like cheap
medicaments, in their bar-rooms, and in a few days there arose, I forget
now how many hundred new chemists' shops. These are little advantages
which every one endeavours to get in this country. The American motto
is, 'Help thyself,' the _how_ is a secondary consideration."
"Fine principles those for honest people!" observed Werner.
"But so it is," said the doctor; "you'll find that out soon enough. For
example, you probably may have observed some clothes shops here and
there, where five, or even six hundred hands are wanted."
"Oh, yes," cried the tailor, quickly; "we went into one of them this
morning."
"Well?" asked Dr. Normann, "hadn't he already engaged four hundred and
some odd?"
"About four hundred and sixty," the tailor interrupted him in
astonishment.
"Well, then, four hundred and sixty," said the doctor, laughing. "So I
suppose that, as he had nearly completed his number, he could only take
you upon trial? I know--the usual pretence--not on account of the
journeymen, but of the customers, who are to form a very grand idea of
the shopkeeper's business; such a man has, perhaps, not more than six or
seven hands at work for him in a little back room. Appearance is
everything."
"No! is it possible!" exclaimed Meier.
"But, gentlemen," Mr. Becher now interrupted them, "suppose we now
proceed to business? Dr. Normann, whom I hereby have the pleasure of
introducing to all present, has been so good as to look about for a
well-situated tract of land for us, and this meeting has been called to
confer on the acceptance or rejection of this offer."
All held their peace, and surrounded Mr. Becher in attentive silence. He
thus continued:--
"The land which Dr. Normann has recommended to us, lies in Tennessee,
somewhat more than 200 German miles (1000 English) farther to the west;
however, with the exception of some few miles, the entire distance may
be passed by water. We obtain there, for the purpose of a beginning, 160
acres of good land, covered with wood, and, supplied with some, although
inadequate, buildings. But, where timber is to be had in superfluity,
and there are so many active and strong hands which can be put in
motion, I should say, according to my view of the case, that the want of
buildings is but a small drawback. Of these 160 acres, fifteen are
completely cleared, rendered arable, and fenced in, and although they
have been but little cropped, yet have been lying fallow again during
five years past, and therefore, in this respect, are very promising.
"In addition, the price asked for the whole, through the kind
intercession of Doctor Normann, is reduced to four dollars per acre,
although the owners, in the first instance, are said to have asked six
dollars, which, therefore, would amount to 640 dollars for the whole,
and might not only be defrayed out of the funds in hand, but would leave
a balance of some 220 dollars wherewith to defray at least a portion of
the travelling expenses.
"If we accept the proposal, in the first place we not only save much
expense, which a protracted stay in New York would make inevitable, but
we lay the foundation in common of a sure provision for the future,
for, according to the doctor's statement, there are a great number of
Germans living in Tennessee, of whom hundreds are only waiting for the
opportunity of joining some regular German colony; and I should think
that we possess both the will and the means to found a sound and orderly
one."
Mr. Becher ceased, and complete silence reigned for a moment, which was
suddenly broken by Mr. Herbold, who, with his hands in his pockets, and
leaning against a table, had listened attentively to the whole
proposition, and now gave vent to his thoughts in the words, "Not amiss;
that might do very well."
Murmurs of approbation of the scheme now resounded from every side, but
a number of questions were also put from all quarters, which neither Mr.
Becher nor the committee generally could answer, and which related to
the climate, the produce, the game, the healthiness of the district, and
the nature of the soil. At the instance of Mr. Becher, Dr. Normann now
took up the word, and said:--
"It is a pleasure to me, gentlemen, to be enabled to answer the greater
part of the questions which have been addressed to me in the most
satisfactory manner. The climate is mild, the winters are short, and ice
and snow are seldom seen, which, indeed, you may conclude from the fact
that cotton is grown there, which, it is well known, requires a warm
climate. The productions are cotton, maize, or Indian corn, wheat, rye,
barley, oats, and all sorts of pulse; at the same time it is the finest
district for peaches, and the forests are filled with wild fruits; the
cattle, of which you may rear as many as you please, run about in the
open air all the year round, and will not cost you one cent for fodder.
"Stables or cattle sheds are not thought of, unless, indeed, you wish to
keep a horse constantly ready, and confine it on that account. The soil
is particularly good; just consider that tracts of country on the
Mississippi have been cropped for more than a century, and have never
been manured yet. As to its healthiness, why, temperate people are well
everywhere, and a farmer's life is necessarily a temperate one."
"But how are we to take what we may raise to market?" asked the brewer.
"A small river, which is navigable during at least seven months in the
year, runs past your settlement," replied the doctor. "Besides, you are
a short distance only from the Mississippi, and by it are connected with
the whole world."
"The description is very inviting," said Pastor Hehrmann, smiling: "it
almost seems to me that the worthy doctor has sketched a little
paradise; but shall we not be disappointed in our expectations? Such an
undertaking is an important step, and ought to be well considered from
every point of view."
"What grounds are there to induce me to tell you a falsehood? Have I any
interest in the whole affair?" replied the doctor, confidentially and
good-naturedly.
"Allow me, gentlemen," Helldorf now began, "to call your attention to
some circumstances which I find have hitherto not been considered. The
long journey is the least matter, for you must go somewhere or other,
and if you have not too much luggage, that can be got over well enough;
but the cleared land has not been tilled for five years, as I hear, and
you must remember that we are in America, and not in Germany."
"You don't pretend to affirm that that will injure the land?" the
doctor, who seemed highly dissatisfied with the young Kentuckian's
presence, interrupted him.
"Not in the least," the other replied; "but do you think that nothing
has grown on the old field in five years, or that the bushes and young
trees which have shot up can be so very easily eradicated?"
"Well, but though underwood is bad enough, certainly," interposed Mr.
Herbold, "still there are plenty of us, and it sha'n't take long to
clear all that off again."
"My good Mr. Herbold," objected Helldorf, "believe me, you and all your
company could not in several years clear fifteen acres of woodland on
the Mississippi, which, having been chopped, has lain waste for five
years;[4] and besides, I am convinced that you must not reckon in the
least on fences and buildings; for where these have been so long
neglected in the bush, they will hardly be of any use."
"Mr. Helldorf, I can't comprehend why you view everything from the
blackest side!" remarked the doctor, somewhat offended, as it seemed.
"What grounds do you give for your apprehensions?"
"My own experience," the Kentuckian calmly replied; "it happened so with
my own land; just where the largest trees were cut down, or only girdled
and withered, so that light and air could have free access to the soil,
there the young saplings and stems shot out with a rankness and rapidity
of which Europeans can form no notion; and this after-growth, for the
very reason that it consists mostly of roots, is a great deal more
difficult to clear than the aboriginal trees, the thick shadows from the
tops of which have killed the underwood beneath for ages past. But,
passing over this, what title to this land can you show to the society?"
It was obvious that the worthy doctor was unwilling to enter upon
answers to young Helldorf's questions; but as the eyes of the whole
assembly were fixed on the doctor, as though they addressed the question
to him, he smilingly drew a parchment from his breast pocket, and
unfolded it. It was the grant of the said 160 acres of land to a certain
William Hewitt, in consideration of military services performed, and was
signed by President Monroe, in 1819.
Helldorf had no objection to make to this; the military grants were
mostly acknowledged, but were always to be bought at a very low price,
and he only stated that the improvements ought to be pretty considerable
to induce the emigrants to give so much more per acre than they could
buy land of the government of the United States for.
The doctor made no reply, but turned to the people themselves, who,
without exception, appeared so delighted with the attractive description
of the place which was to be their future home, that they began to press
upon the committee to conclude the bargain, and set out for the goal of
all their wanderings.
"But you have told us nothing about the game?" asked M. Von Schwanthal,
who was a keen sportsman.
"Because I did not wish to appear in your eyes as an exaggerator or
embellisher; for no doubt you will consider me such when I tell you of
the deer, the turkeys, bears, &c., which, you will find yonder."
"And hares and partridges?" asked M. Von Schwanthal.
"No one thinks of shooting them," smiled the doctor; "for Heaven's sake,
who would waste a charge of powder and shot upon a miserable partridge,
when he can get a deer with it? But you'll find all that out when you
get there."
All the emigrants appeared to have made up their minds, and they were as
eager about the purchase of, and journey to, that spot of land, as
though they had had their eyes upon that little point, between the
Mississippi and the small town of Jackson in Tennessee, ever since they
left home. They would not hear of any other state but Tennessee, and the
committee closed the bargain with Dr. Normann on the same evening, paid
the purchase money, and received from him the deed, which was handed
over to the elder Siebert for safe custody. The latter had hung back a
good deal pending the treaty, and returned very superficial answers to
several questions addressed to him concerning the condition of the
country (which, according to his own account, he had travelled
through). However, he concluded the purchase in legal form, and took
possession of the muniment of title. He paid the purchase-money out of
the funds which remained in his hands, and merely called the emigrants'
attention to the fact that the time was at hand when they would have to
pay up their remaining contribution, so that the committee might not be
fettered in acting for them according to the best of their ability. He
appeared to have formed an acquaintance with Dr. Normann very quickly,
and towards evening left the tavern in his company.
It now only remained to determine the route which the emigrants should
take to reach their new home; but all were soon agreed upon this
subject, for every one was afraid of another sea-voyage, and the road by
Albany, Buffalo, thence down the Ohio to Portsmouth, from which
last-named place they could reach the Big Halchee by steamer, was
adopted. It is true that Helldorf, who by this time had become pretty
well acquainted with their situation, had recommended them to sell the
greater part of their baggage, particularly the ploughs and axes, &c.
which they had brought with them; but no one would listen to this, and
at last the third day was fixed for their departure.
From New York, they were to start in a steamer for Albany, thence by
rail as far as Utica, and from Utica by canal, over Buffalo, to
Portsmouth. Their society consisted of sixty-five individuals in all,
including women and children, and hitherto everything promised a
prosperous journey; the weather, besides, was splendid, and glad hope
animated every breast.
Werner, however, persuaded by Helldorf, had not joined the society, and
did not intend to follow it for some time to come, as he wished, first
of all, to visit Philadelphia and Baltimore. Preparations for the
departure of the settlers were now in full activity, and many things
which they considered they could not calculate on meeting with in the
interior were bought in New York. M. Von Schwanthal, in particular,
provided himself with powder and shot, and promised to find fresh meat
constantly for the whole party.
Next day was Sunday, and the Oldenburghers had betaken themselves to the
German church betimes, to attend divine service; but the shoemaker was
anxious to hear an English sermon for once, and easily persuaded the
tailor and Schmidt to accompany him: the brewer remained in bed.
The three, therefore, dressed in their Sunday's best, traversed the
quiet and almost empty streets, until they came opposite to a church,
whence the loud and thundering voice of the preacher resounded. Without
long consideration they entered, and found themselves in a small but
pretty well filled church, fitted up after the ordinary fashion of
evangelical churches, with a high pulpit and small altar. The preacher
appeared particularly inspired, and the words seemed "to flow of
themselves from his mouth," as the shoemaker expressed it, not a
syllable of which, however, could they understand.
Pressed forward by those who arrived later than themselves, our
adventurers had got promoted nearly to the centre of the church, and
stood almost opposite to the priest; but the countenance of the latter
became constantly wilder, his movements more violent, and the little
tailor had twice already gently touched the shoemaker, and expressed a
wish to retire, when suddenly a woman, who was sitting close beside
them, uttered a heart-breaking sigh; Meier turned his head quickly, and
saw that she began to turn up her eyes, and gasp for breath.
"I say, there's a woman taken ill!" he said, in a low voice, to Schmidt,
who stood just before him.
"Oh, she'll get better again presently, I dare say!" said Schmidt,
pacifying him.
But just the same sort of sighing and groaning arose from several sides,
and the stout woman near them seemed especially affected by something or
other, for her sighs followed each other faster and faster, her limbs
began to tremble, and everything showed that she must be dreadfully
excited. All at once, a change came over the whole spirit of the fat
woman; her gaze was fixed on the tailor, who tremblingly followed her
every movement with his eyes; her nostrils dilated, her mouth opened,
and, uttering a loud scream, she jumped up.
"Oh Lord!" cried the tailor, and his knees knocked together. Schmidt
looked round for the first time at the inspired one, who moved up and
down, stamped with her feet, clenched her hands, and cried and rejoiced.
Schmidt cast his eyes round about, but to his inexpressible surprise
nobody seemed to trouble himself about the stout woman; the people did
not so much as look round; and as he thought that she must be possessed
by an evil spirit, at least, he pressed past the tailor, who made room
for him with the greatest pleasure, and took hold of the arms of the
woman, who was striking about her violently.
"Break open her thumbs--break open her thumbs!" the shoemaker exclaimed;
and Schmidt, poor fellow, good-naturedly tried to comply, when a
dreadful cry met his ear; at the same time he felt himself suddenly
seized simultaneously by the collar, by the arms, and by the shoulders,
and before he could exactly comprehend what was taking place, or what
was intended, he lay peacefully alongside of the shoemaker in the
street. Scarce had they had time to pick themselves up and look about
them, when the door opened once more, and the tailor, without his hat,
made a mighty spring, clean over the pavement and gutter, into the
carriage-road, where he fell nearly doubled together, but quickly
gathering himself up again, and either not heeding or else not hearing
the calls of his comrades, he flew along the street in wild haste, till
on his turning the corner they lost sight of him.
The passers-by began to take notice, so the shoemaker took hold of
Schmidt's arm, and they forsook together a spot where their presence
began to attract attention. It was not until they had got into the
vicinity of their inn again that Schmidt stopped in surprise, and,
staring at the other, said--"Well, I beg of you!--did you ever
experience the like in your whole life?"
"For the first time to-day!" the shoemaker replied. "But where can the
little one be?"
"We shall be obliged to have him advertised in the newspapers," Schmidt
said; "for, with such a start as he took at the church, he'll never stop
again till he drops. How he ran, to be sure!"
"Yes; and what did they really turn us out for, after all?" asked the
shoemaker; "perhaps it was because you went to the assistance of the fat
woman?"
"Ask them," growled Schmidt; "rough people, they are. Well! if they only
wait till they catch me in one of their churches again!"
They had, meanwhile, reached their abode, and found the two young
people, Helldorf and Werner, who were sitting in the public room,
conversing with the brewer. But when the shoemaker and Schmidt told them
the story of their wrongs, Helldorf burst into a loud laugh, and
explained to them that they had got into a congregation of Methodists,
and had offended the latter not a little by laying hands upon a sister
who was divinely inspired. But all felt anxious now about the little
tailor, who had fled in such fearful haste, no one knew whither, when
the latter unexpectedly made his appearance at the door, with haggard
eyes, pale colourless cheeks, and quite chopfallen. He really looked
very ill.
The landlady, however, quickly filled him up a good bumper of bitters,
and he recovered a little by degrees, though it was quite half an hour
before he was in a condition to relate, how the fat woman, whilst
Schmidt and the shoemaker were being turned out, had attacked him, and
(he protested solemnly, and swore that it was true) had tried to bite
him; that he recollected nothing further, except having jumped up, and
fled with all the strength at his command.
"But, I say, where's your hat?" asked the brewer.
"That must be lying in the church still!" sighed the tailor.
"Yes, but won't you go back, and fetch it?" said the brewer.
"_I!_" exclaimed the tailor, astonished to the last degree; "_I_ go back
into _that_ church,--to _that_ fat woman! Brewer! if the whole church
were filled with hats, (of the best quality, five and a quarter dollars
a piece), and I might have them _all_, I wouldn't put a foot across the
threshold." It was useless to press him further; he never saw his hat
more.
Mrs. Hehrmann, with her daughters, had by this time recovered from the
troubles and hardships of the sea-voyage, and Bertha, in particular, was
as blooming as a rose; but she bowed her little head very sadly and
sorrowfully when Werner, while sitting beside them and Helldorf, in the
little room, on the Saturday evening, for the first time intimated that
they would not continue their journey together, but that he proposed, in
the first instance, to visit the neighbouring towns.
"I had believed that you would have joined our settlement," she
whispered, at last; "but it seems, however,----"
"But, child," her mother interrupted her, "Mr. Werner, no doubt, has his
own sufficient reasons, and when he has attended to his business here,
perhaps may visit us in Tennessee. He knows that he will be always
welcome to us."
"I need not tell you, my dear madam," answered Werner, "how I appreciate
your goodness, and how grateful I am for the friendly sympathy you have
constantly shown me; and I hope to be able to prove it hereafter. At
present, however, I am compelled to visit Philadelphia as well as
Baltimore, to deliver several letters of introduction, which may,
perhaps, be of service to me hereafter; it would, therefore, be
imprudent in me to neglect them. But, notwithstanding, it is quite
possible that I may reach the locality of your settlement soon after
you, as Mr. Helldorf tells me that there is a nearer way over the
hills."
"Quite right," replied the latter; "and it will probably so happen; for,
my dear Werner, if nothing else detain you besides the result of your
letters of introduction, your time will not be much taken up. One
invitation to dinner at each place where you have delivered such a
letter, and you have gone through it all; it is even questionable
whether he to whom you were recommended may know you on the following
day."
"But, Helldorf, my dear fellow----"
"I know it--I have seen it happen so often. But there's nothing like a
trial, and that is soon made."
At that moment, a tap was heard at the door, which opened, and in walked
Dr. Normann, with the most agreeable face in the world. He inquired very
anxiously after the health of the Hehrmanns, and gave them such good and
reasonable advice as to their future conduct, in their new and
unaccustomed mode of life, related on the occasion so many experiences
and events from his own life, and altogether managed to make himself so
agreeable, that even Helldorf lost a portion of his former unaccountable
aversion to him, and became more conversable and friendly.
The doctor was particularly obliging to Werner; and, upon hearing that
he was going into the interior, promised him some excellent
introductions, such as must assure the best reception to him.
"But of what use will they be, doctor?" asked Helldorf; "you know
yourself that in this country----"
"I know--perfectly aware of it!" the doctor interrupted him. "But rely
upon me, you shall have introductions, to-morrow morning, from a man
which will ensure you the reception of a son in his house; and yet I
give you my word that, except his name, I myself know as little of the
man as you do."
"The doctor speaks in riddles," said Mrs. Hehrmann, smiling; "if you
could do that, you would be a conjuror indeed!"
"Anything but that, madam; all that is required is a little knowledge of
human nature. But to-morrow I will give my proofs."
"I say, Doctor, you were speaking, not long since, of an invention of
yours, on account of which you were staying here," said Helldorf. "Might
I ask of what kind it is?"
"Haven't I told you about my invention yet?" simpered Normann. "Yes, I
hope that it will make some noise; I have discovered the long-lost art
of making inconsumable light. It was known to the ancients, for in
long-closed-up sepulchres burning lamps have been found. I am already in
communication with the President on the subject, and am going to
Washington next week, on that account."
"Why, doctor, this discovery must be of inestimable value!" exclaimed
Werner.
"A hundred thousand dollars have been offered me for it in Germany, and
the same sum in France; but I am a Republican--Republican, body and
soul--and my invention is not to be bought by any king! It was in
Arkansas that----"
"Were you ever in Arkansas?" Helldorf burst out, jumping from his chair,
and gazing narrowly into the doctor's countenance. The latter appeared
to change colour, but soon regained his self-possession, and, looking
the young man fixedly in the face, and with a somewhat forced smile,
said--
"No; you did not hear me out. It was in Arkansas that I was about to
make some experiments on the subject, but at that time I was taken ill
at Cincinnati, and could not undertake the journey."
"I beg pardon," said Helldorf; "it was an old recollection--your face
seemed so familiar to me."
Again the colour left the Doctor's cheeks a little, but his features
remained unmoved, and he said, smiling--"He who lives in America sees
many faces, for half the population is constantly on the move; that
among them there should frequently be people who resemble each other,
is very natural. But," he broke off, abruptly, "I have yet some little
business to transact. As to our engagement, Mr. Werner, I am ready to
keep my word to-morrow morning. Call for me at half-past eight. Till
then, farewell! Mrs. Hehrmann--ladies, I take my leave."
When the Doctor had left them, Helldorf spoke only in monosyllables, and
shortly afterwards also withdrew, accompanied by Werner.
"Now I'm sure of it!" he exclaimed, as he wandered down the
Sabbath-still street; "now I've got on the fellow's track.
Arkansas--Arkansas!--that's the place where I have seen him!"
"But he has never been there," suggested Werner.
"Lies! lies!" exclaimed Helldorf. "I saw how he changed colour, for he
recognised me, too, at that moment! But he wore a beard then, which
disguised him, and passed by a different name. There he was Dr.
Wähler--I am certain of it--and was challenged for cheating at play, and
secretly shot his challenger on his way to the ground!"
"That would be horrible!" said Werner.
"It is him--I know him!" Helldorf declared. "Now Heaven have mercy upon
the poor settlers, for there can no longer be any doubt but that the
rascal has cheated them!"
"But how can that be possible?" Werner objected. "You yourself pronounce
the deed correct and genuine, the land must be in existence! I can't
conceive----"
"Time will show!" Helldorf exclaimed. "But that this is the villain, I
could swear! I am only curious to know in what manner he will procure
letters of introduction for you to-morrow."
"Is it not possible to bring him to account, if he has been guilty of
anything so dreadful?" asked Werner.
"How!" replied Helldorf, with a shrug of the shoulders. "Where are the
proofs?--where are the people now who then lived in yonder scene? Oh, my
dear Werner, a year--a single year--makes a wonderful change here in
America! However, I have not yet done with this villain, for he whom he
shot was my best friend; the good Doctor may, therefore, look out for
himself, if his path crosses mine! But now good night, Werner. Say not a
word of what I have just confided to you, and let him give you the
letters of introduction to-morrow morning; perhaps, we shall get at some
explanation of the Doctor's character."
Werner did not retire to rest until late, and wild dreams disturbed his
slumber; he was, therefore, up early, and at the hour appointed stood at
the doctor's room. He was just dressed, and met him at the door, and
taking the young man's arm, confidentially, walked with him to an hotel
in Chatham Street, where he inquired whether a certain Mr. Smith, from
the country, was staying there?
On receiving the waiter's reply in the affirmative, he told him to
announce two strangers who wished to speak to Mr. Smith upon business;
and, turning with a smile to Werner, who asked him once more in
astonishment whether he really did not know the man, said, "You may
convince yourself of that."
Mr. Smith immediately asked the gentlemen up stairs, and the waiter
showed them into a small, clean-looking room, where the stranger stepped
forward to meet them, and politely asked them to be seated.
"Mr. Smith," Dr. Normann now began, "although I am a complete stranger
to you, still I have heard of your considerable tracts of land, and of
the advantageous position of your proposed town. A party of Germans have
arrived here, and another ship is expected to follow in a few weeks, all
of whom intend to settle somewhere in the interior. This young man, Mr.
Werner,"--the American bowed,--"is commissioned to look about for a
suitable spot for them, and upon my advice, purposes visiting your
neighbourhood. If I might request of you the favour of some
introductions for my friend, which might facilitate his business, you
would not only greatly oblige us, but perhaps also attract a settlement
of industrious Germans into your vicinity."
The expression of the American's face had brightened up more and more
during these words. He now rose very politely, shook hands with both of
them, and said some very obliging words to young Werner, to which the
latter, abashed by such boundless impudence, and not himself
sufficiently master of the English language, could only reply by a
silent bow. Without wasting another word, the American went to a
writing-table, and after the lapse of a very few minutes, handed over an
open letter of introduction to his own family, as well as to his two
brothers, who lived in the same neighbourhood, and who were therein
requested to show all possible civility to the bearer, and to assist him
in seeing the country, and especially in becoming acquainted with their
part of it. In vain did Werner try to stammer out a few words, which
were intended to inform the American that he had no part in this breach
of confidence: the latter, who probably supposed that he was
endeavouring to express his thanks, drowned his words in a stream of
compliments. Dr. Normann took him by the arm, and, before he knew
exactly what was going forward, he found himself, in a few minutes, in
the street again, with the letter of introduction in his pocket-book,
and the doctor's arm in his own.
"Well--haven't I kept my word?" he asked, laughing, as they walked down
Chatham-street towards the Post-office; "am I not a conjuror? Yes, my
dear Mr. Werner, take hold of the weak points of the Americans and you
may do what you like with them, but, unless you do that, they're as
tough as hickory."
"Doctor, I shall never make use of this letter of introduction; for I
consider----"
"Pooh, pooh, my good friend!" exclaimed the doctor, laughing; "wait till
you've been a year or two in America, and all that will come round; then
you'll become what the Americans call 'smart.' Take notice of that
word; in those five letters is comprised a whole dictionary."
Werner was going to reply rather bitterly, but suddenly bethinking
himself of another course, he bade the other "Good morning," and leaving
the doctor, who stepped into a shop near Astor House, turned back, and
walked to the right, up Broadway.
There he sought Helldorf, to whom he related the whole proceeding; but
Helldorf only laughed, and replied, that it was just what he had
expected; that the doctor was a thoroughbred sharper, and, as he feared,
was not content with what he had already squeezed out of the society.
"He has other views," he continued, talking half to himself, "otherwise
he would have disappeared immediately after the success of his plan--the
sale of the land--but we'll observe him, and Heaven have mercy upon him
if he gives us a hold upon him."
The next day was fixed for the departure of the society as well as of
Werner; but the latter had soon completed what little arrangements he
had to make, and determined to seek the Hehrmanns once more, and to pass
the last few hours in New York, at all events, with them; he was,
however, by no means agreeably surprised to find the doctor already
there again, and to hear that the latter had determined to make the
journey as far as Cincinnati (where he gave out that he had business)
with them. Werner, it is true, soon forgot all lesser cares in the
absorbing pain of a parting from his beloved, for it was in vain to try
to conceal from himself with what earnestness his heart clung to the
Pastor's little daughter; and he only pressed Helldorf's hand in
silence, when the latter asked him, in a whisper, if he did not also
think "that the air of Tennessee would agree particularly well with
him?"
In the meantime, the travellers had many things to arrange, and had
their hands full of business; the committee, therefore, gratefully
accepted the offer of Dr. Normann, to assist the Messrs. Siebert in the
care of the freight, while Mr. Hehrmann and Becher, with the help of
Werner and young Helldorf, endeavoured to procure what conveniences they
could for the women.
Dr. Normann, quite in American fashion, had with him only a small
portmanteau, not much bigger than a knapsack, in order, he said, to have
his things sent after him subsequently; but the more baggage, on the
other hand, did the "allies" carry with them, and the committee began
already to perceive that it would not have been so much amiss if they
had paid a little more attention to what the Captain of the "Hoffnung"
had told them about this. But after dragging their goods so far, they
considered that they must now go through with it, and before long the
last article was stowed away in the mighty steamer. The New York clocks
struck five, the ship's bell rang for the third time, and the ropes and
planks were drawn in; the white steam rose into the clear air in puffs,
which followed each other more and more quickly--the colossus gained
life, and the wheels struck and pressed with a splash the little waves
behind them. The boat pushed from the shore--it strove, panting, against
the descending water--struck the waves away on each side--and now, with
the mighty power of her boilers and cylinders, the vessel dashed forward
on her clear and mirror-like course.
Helldorf tried in vain to drag Werner from the landing-place, where,
pressed upon by the crowd driving hither and thither, he could hardly
stand. His eyes hung upon the outlines of the boat, now becoming each
minute less distinct, where but a few seconds before he thought that he
had remarked the waving of a fluttering handkerchief, and only when she
had disappeared round a bend in the river, did he yield his arm to his
friend, and wander silently by his side, back into the city.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] One hundred and sixty acres of land is not more than one farmer
would take; consequently, very far short of the wants of a party of
sixty-five persons. Probably the author means it as another satire on
the ignorance of emigrants.--TR.
[2] A sechser is a small German coin, value six German pfennings, or
rather more than an English halfpenny; a cent. I need hardly say, is the
hundredth part of a dollar, or about a halfpenny sterling.--TR.
[3] In German, "du" (thou) is used only in addressing those with whom
one is on familiar terms; but "sie" (you) is always employed either in
speaking to strangers, or to persons whom it is wished to treat with
respect.--TR.
[4] This is much exaggerated; two men can chop and clear--i. e. log and
burn--fifteen acres of hard woodland in fifteen weeks; and allowing, as
is the fact, that land in the condition referred to in the text would
take twice as long to clear as the original wood, still that would only
make it thirty weeks' work for two men. Not the work of several years
for twenty or thirty men, although unused to this work.--TR.
CHAPTER III.
THE PILGRIMAGE TO THE SETTLEMENT.
As the handsome steamer, panting, foamed up the splendid Hudson River,
the Germans were never tired of viewing the wonderfully beautiful, yet
grand landscape, which, in all its glitter, in all its splendour, lay
spread out before them.
The sun, meanwhile, cast his farewell rosy kiss upon the silver-clear
stream, and the picturesque masses of rock which formed its banks,
towering towards heaven, and covered with a dark-green leafy canopy,
glowed in his friendly light with such magical beauty as touched the
hearts even of the rough Oldenburghers, who, absorbed in one continued
gaze, quite forgot to provide for the comfort of their bodies during the
long night which was drawing nigh.
Pastor Hehrmann, lost in deep reflection, stood on the broad fore-part
of the boat; but his eye was not luxuriating in the view of the wonders
of nature which surrounded him, for it gazed dreamily at the red and
gold clouds which passed slowly across the deep-blue sky. He had left
wife and children in the cabin, and thought himself alone in his silent
meditations, when he felt the gentle pressure of a hand upon his
shoulder, and at the same moment his elder daughter leaned her head,
with its curled locks, upon his shoulder.
"Is it not beautiful here, father?" said the dear girl, looking
affectionately into his eyes; "is it not splendid on this wonderful
stream? Oh! to live here, to be able to call one of those charming
little country houses one's own, how delightful it would be! The people
must be very good who live here."
"And why, Bertha?" asked her father; "do you think that the beauty of
nature alone exercises such an influence upon the human heart? Yes, you
are right--it _should_ do so; but, alas, it is just in the most
beautiful regions, in countries like paradise, that we too often meet
with the worst of men; that the wildest passions rage; and it almost
seems as if where God has poured out the greatest splendour and
gorgeousness upon the earth, there the human heart has remained the only
spot in which hatred and discord, wickedness and discontent, could find
a harbour."
"But I will not wrong the good people of this district," he continued,
smiling, when he saw that his daughter looked at him rather anxiously.
"I speak of the tropical countries; the population of the Hudson is
good; it is descended from the honest old Dutchmen who founded the first
settlements here, and although the present generation----"
"Why so serious, my friends?" said Dr. Normann, who advanced towards
them at this moment, and interrupted their conversation. "You admire the
steep rocky shore--yes, a splendid part of the country, but inconvenient
for travelling; one is often compelled to make circuits of some miles to
get at the river from the land side, and that is, to say the least,
inconvenient; but we are in a dangerous vicinity here, for yonder is the
Haunted Island--yes, yes, the Haunted Island. Oh, you need not wonder
so, it is here as on the Rhine; and if we have not the old castles, or
rather ruins, why every rocky promontory, every singularly-formed cliff,
every old house, has its story and its ghost."
"Oh, pray tell us why it is called the Haunted Island?"
"Well, then," the doctor smiled, "it's certainly a harmless story, but
has cost the inhabitants of this neighbourhood many a shake of the head,
particularly in earlier times. But the Yankees of the present day are a
spoiled, unpoetical, and anything but romantic race; they believe in
nothing which they cannot grasp with their fists, and take not the least
interest in anything, were it even the spirit of their own ancestor,
unless they expect to derive from it some material benefit or other; and
certainly such is not the case with the 'Haunted Visit.'"
"The Haunted Visit," said Bertha, her curiosity now extremely excited.
"Yes," replied Normann, "and here comes your mother and sister, who,
perhaps, would also like to hear of our spiritual neighbourhood." The
last-named persons joined them with a friendly recognition, and the
Doctor thus began his tale:--
"Long ago, when the Dutch were still in quiet possession of this
country, which since _that_ time has changed its masters more than once,
there lived in a little town, on the east bank of the river, a man named
Van Tromp, who, as he had no occupation in particular, served happy
indolence in real Turkish fashion, loafing up and down the streets as
his only business, and, like some hawk in search of an unfortunate
partridge, spying through the still streets after some yet more
unfortunate acquaintance. No sooner did he see a victim, than in a few
bounds he overtook him, and unless the fated one chose to sacrifice a
button, he was obliged to endure and listen to the story which Van Tromp
had in store for him, and which most likely he had already heard from
his own mouth many times before.
"Once upon a time, when, in this manner, he had stepped on board of a
little trading cutter (which in those days, before there were any
steamers, navigated the Hudson), and had there entangled the cook in a
highly interesting conversation--on which occasion he related to him,
for the seventeenth time, how cunningly he had managed to escape being
married--he missed the departure of the little boat, and as he could not
spring ashore again, he resigned himself to his fate, viz., to remain
on board until, in the course of a given number of days, the vessel
should return.
"But here a particular and peculiar misfortune befel him; under
way--namely, when wearied out with story-telling--he had stretched
himself out upon deck, and had fallen asleep; the vessel tacked, the
large sprit-sail swept over the deck, and Van Tromp, whom nobody thought
about, was shoved overboard by the heavy boom. Some affirm that the
whole vessel capsized; but probably that is a fable. Be that as it may,
Van Tromp sank like a stone, and suddenly found himself--and you may
conceive his surprise--at the bottom of the Hudson, among the spirits of
those who, during past centuries, had perished there.
"He might have been very well off here, for, according to the most
authentic intelligence, they lead a very jolly life in the blue depths
down below there; but his eternal propensity to tell stories, which did
not forsake him in his new abode, soon drove away all good company from
him. In the beginning--yes, whilst his anecdotes were yet new--they put
up with it; but when the same, and still the same, were constantly
repeated, and the poor drowned folks had no hope of getting rid of their
tedious story-teller till the day of judgment, it was then that they
resolved, in a council especially called for the purpose, to evade their
otherwise immutable laws, for Van Tromp's benefit as well as their own,
and to permit the former to visit the earth again; only, however, in the
form of a living man, in order not to excite any unnecessary
consternation among the peaceful dwellers on the Hudson.
"Van Tromp was now happy, and soon made excursions through the streets
of his native place again, although in a new form. But of what use was
this change? Of what use were the different voice and varying
clothes--_the stories remained the same_--word for word did they come
back again, as though read from some ancient chronicle; and in a few
days he began to be avoided. The rumour that the drowned man had come
back, and in a different shape, and was wandering among them, spread
like wildfire through the little town, and scarce had he time to
commence one of his old anecdotes, before the auditors, with complete
indifference to their buttons, and even to whole pieces of lining,
sprang back in terror and fled from their spectral neighbour.
"The natural consequence was, that Van Tromp became misanthropical,
sought out lonesome places, talked to himself, and at last withdrew to
this island, which we have just now passed, in order no longer to waste
his stories upon a generation that was unworthy of them. There you have
the simple story of the 'Haunted Visit,' and every farmer upon these
banks here can relate his particular stories drawn from Van Tromp's
life."
Several other Germans, also passengers on board the steamer, now joined
them, and anecdotes and legends followed each other until darkness and
the damp air from the river compelled all to seek the interior of the
vessel.
The remainder of the society had meanwhile passed their time in a
similar manner, only that the four friends--Schmidt, the shoemaker, the
tailor, and the brewer--for whom the landscape had fewer attractions,
spread out a due quantity of provisions between them, and were busied in
doing ample justice to them. But when it suddenly became dark (which, to
their surprise, it did with wonderful rapidity, for in New York they had
not noticed the speedy approach of night), they found themselves in the
highly disagreeable position of people who are very tired, and have no
place where they can properly rest themselves.
"It is very wrong," the shoemaker said, "not to give one so much as a
bottle of straw. Surely one can't walk about all night."
"I should like to lie down on the bare boards," said the brewer, looking
about him, "but these disgusting people do nothing but spit, and in
every direction too, so that one can hardly find a clean place the size
of one's foot. What fellows they are! Why, sandmen among us behave
themselves better."
"When shall we get to Albany, do you think?" asked Schmidt of one of the
engineers, who was pouring some oil on the engine out of a small can.
"Nix versteh!" said the American, shaking his head; "no Dutchman!"
"Well, then, you need not call names, if you don't," exclaimed the
brewer, testily, in a loud voice, so that the man who was addressed
turned round surprised.
"Don't be a fool!" said the tailor, taking hold of the angry man's arm;
"do you think you will sleep any the better for getting your hide full
of blows?"
"But it's true, what business had the fellow to talk about 'Doetsch?'"
"Where can the Committee be?" Schmidt now asked; "and I've seen nothing
of the Oldenburghers either, since we've been aboard."
"Who knows where they've poked themselves to?" grunted the shoemaker,
wrapping himself up more closely in an old mantle with a hundred or so
of capes. "I shall seat myself in a corner and wait till daylight; I'm
tired of standing about." The others followed his example; and soon, in
the wide, and sparingly and weakly lighted lower deck of the great boat,
groups of sleepy passengers sat or lay about in all directions, some
with their heads resting upon their luggage, some alongside of a chest,
and passed the night by no means conveniently, for in addition to their
other discomforts, the cool river air blew in from all sides of the open
boat, feeling anything but beneficial, and awakening lively longings in
the hearts of the travellers for a warm bed.
Day broke at last, and with it the call, "Ashore, ashore!" came to
disturb them from the first slumber, into which, tired with long
watching, and yielding to over-weariness, they had just sunk. The boat
was going alongside the Quay at Albany, and the freight was soon after
got ashore, as the Captain had to return to New York the same morning.
Dr. Normann meanwhile undertook to conduct the ladies to an inn not far
off, whilst the settlers (for this was the name which the society had
now assumed) had enough to do to receive the freight, and get it up to
the somewhat distant railway. The journey was to be continued hence, by
the doctor's advice, by rail as far as Utica, and here the conviction
forced itself upon the settlers that they carried too much luggage with
them, for the carriage by railway was not inconsiderable, and the
constant packing away, and moving backwards and forwards highly
inconvenient and expensive. But the discovery was of no use: the
constant consolation was, "we have brought it so far, and certainly
can't leave it now that we are near the end of our journey."
But the end of their journey was not reached so soon as they expected,
and they had yet many inconveniences to meet before they could hope to
arrive at the spot which was to be the scene of their future labours and
of their domestic repose.
They reached Utica that night. Here the unpacking of all their wares and
utensils took place again, and all had to be got to the canal, where two
boats were lying ready to start immediately for Buffalo.
The unlading and removal in the night formed a very troublesome
business, and the settlers would have grumbled a good deal had not
Pastor Hehrmann, the younger Siebert, and Mr. Herbold, shown themselves
particularly active and attentive on the occasion; but as they lent a
hand everywhere, all was soon got through, and in less than an hour the
horn of the master of the boat blew for departure.
The brewer and the tailor had escaped work this time, and associated
themselves with the remaining members of the Committee; for scarcely had
they descended from the railway carriages before a very elegant
hackney-coach drew up, and a young man opened the door for them. Now,
although M. Von Schwanthal, Siebert senior, Mr. Becher, and Dr. Normann
with Pastor Hehrmann's family, had got into two other coaches, yet the
two who remained behind did not care to waste their money so
thoughtlessly, and the tailor politely declined, saying--
"Much obliged, but riding don't agree with us."
"It costs nothing," replied the young man, who had opened the door for
them, civilly, and in good German; "it belongs to the railroad."
"Nothing at all?" asked the brewer, distrustfully.
"Not a cent!" the other assured him. The word was a lever that raised
the little tailor like a spring into a corner of the vehicle, where,
when the brewer had somewhat more slowly followed him, he comfortably
rubbed his hands, and, laughing, exclaimed--
"Now it agrees with me, and if it went as far as Buffalo!"
It did not go to Buffalo, however, but scarcely a hundred yards off, to
a brilliantly lighted up hotel, where both of them, not a little taken
aback, were ushered into a large dining-room. There was certainly no
time to be lost here, and the tailor, following the example of the
brewer, seated himself at one corner of the long table, at which their
fellow travellers from the cabin had also just taken their places. In a
moment a cup of tea was handed to them, and in like manner successively
several plates with various meats and confectionary. Both, however, ate
very moderately, declined a second cup of tea, and rose again from
table, where they had not felt much at their ease all the time, although
a mass of provisions, heaped upon a multitude of small plates, covered
the board, and three very pretty young women were constantly pressing
them to take first one and then another dish.
"What have we to pay?" asked the brewer, at last, of one of the young
women, as he could see no waiter. The pretty girl, however, only laughed
and shook her head. She understood no German.
"What have we to pay?" the tailor (who appeared to think that the girl
must be hard of hearing) now cried, so that she started back and looked
in amazement at the little thin figure. But another of the girls
standing near, called out a few words in English to the first, who now
smilingly advanced, and said, "Fifty cents."
"Fifty cents," repeated the other, translating it into German--"fifty
cents each person."
"Fifty cents apiece?" asked the brewer, alarmed; and, turning to the
tailor, "I say, why that's a gulden!"
"Sixteen gute groschen for _one_ cup of tea!" grumbled the little man in
a low tone to himself, but pulled out his meagre purse and paid it: so
did the brewer, and both quickly left the brilliantly lighted house, for
Meier (that was the tailor's name) anxiously remarked that they should
have to pay for the lights if they stayed much longer.
They stood still as soon as they got out of the door, and looked at each
other, half in surprise half in grief.
"Sixteen gute groschen for one cup of tea!" repeated the tailor, with
pathos: "half a Spanish dollar of good hard money!"
"And I'm as hungry as a lion," said the brewer; "I ate nothing on
purpose, because I thought we should otherwise have too much to pay."
"That's just my case," complained Meier. "Sixteen gute groschen and
nothing to eat! But, I say, we must not tell about this!"
"No, if you could only hold your jaw!"
"Not a syllable," the little man declared.
At that moment, the horn of the canal boat was heard, and several men
with lanterns came towards the tavern to fetch such of the passengers as
were missing, and who accordingly immediately proceeded on board. It was
not, however, till the following morning that they were able to make
themselves a little acquainted with surrounding objects on board the
conveyance itself.
The canal, bordered by two good walls, might perhaps be from twenty-five
to thirty feet wide, and boats meeting each other could only pass at
certain places. Along the sides were good broad roads, and three horses
were harnessed to the long tow-rope of each boat, but they did not hurry
themselves much, for the whip of the rider was seldom able to get them
beyond a walk. The canal boat itself was clinker built, and about
seventy or eighty feet long and fourteen broad; but the after and fore
parts, divided into cabins, were alone used for the passengers, while
the centre was solely arranged for and devoted to freight. In the first
boat were the Oldenburghers, our four friends, (Schmidt, the brewer, the
shoemaker, and the tailor,) several Saxon peasants with their families,
the cabinet-maker, and the glazier. In the second, on the other hand,
were the Committee, with the remainder of the travellers, so that the
whole number of passengers were pretty equally divided.
As to the passage-money, the Committee had only undertaken to defray the
freight of the cargo; it was left to the travellers to pay their own
fares, and to provide themselves with provisions for their journey,
which of course made it optional with them either to be boarded in the
boat or to supply themselves.
The first boat chose the latter mode unconditionally, which resolution
was influenced not a little by the tailor's relation of the imposition
of the preceding evening, for Meier could not find it in his heart to
keep the secret of their dreadful expense. They consequently bargained
for all such articles as appeared to them necessary for a journey of
several days, at the grocery stores (or shops), of which there were
plenty everywhere near the canal, and which chiefly contained such
things as served for the convenience of travellers; and they fared, if
not so well or so conveniently as the Committee, who preferred having
their board provided for them, yet much more cheaply, and that was the
principal thing in their then circumstances.
They felt most uncomfortable at night, when, for the sake of room, they
were put into hammocks, which were suspended in rows of three, one
above another, from the side. In the second night the ropes at the head
of the shoemaker, who just then was dreaming uneasily about robbers and
wild beasts, gave way, and his head tumbling down, while his legs
remained in the air, he awoke, with such a cry, that all jumped out and
came about him. It was some time before they could pacify him, and at
first he stared at the tailor, who was shaking him, with such wild
rolling eyes, that the latter let him go, and sprang a step backwards.
The travelling in the canal-boat was very slow; the roads (as it rained
during a couple of hours each night) were bad, and almost bottomless,
and in many places the horses could scarcely wade through the mud; but
for this one must be prepared in all travelling by canal. It is slow
work, and the only chance of enjoyment which a traveller on such a
_ride_ has, is to walk afoot alongside when he can. In places where the
road was tolerably elevated and dry, the passengers often got out and
wandered for miles beside the long ark-like box.
In the meanwhile, earnest debates had arisen in the second boat, and
that as to the name of the future town which they were about to found.
Siebert, senior, was unhesitatingly for "Teutonia," while the junior
considered "Hermannstadt" more suitable; Becher was for calling it
"Roma," and Von Schwanthal was of opinion that it must be called the
"Hoffnung," (Hope), as they had began their journey in the "Hoffnung."
Parson Hehrmann supported the latter, and Herbold alone expressed
himself very decidedly against all such German-sounding names, and
required that it should be called "Concordia." As he had Dr. Normann and
the ladies on his side, he carried off the victory at this extraordinary
meeting by an overwhelming majority, and the town was provisionally
christened "Concordia," with a reservation, of course, to take the
opinions of all the settlers on the subject. Some hours might have
elapsed when the boats stopped at a small town, both to change horses
and to unload a great portion of the cargo--at least, of the foremost
boat. Here the whole of the passengers came together once more, and the
debate about the name began again.
"Concordia!" exclaimed the shoemaker. "No, much obliged--that name wont
suit; we are regular Germans, and I don't see why we should have such a
foreign word as that. The pastor's name pleases me better, 'Hoffnung.'"
"Shoemaker's-hope!" laughed the little tailor, giving him a poke in the
ribs; "that would sound well."
"Or Tailor's-cabbage!" grumbled the other, in return.
"But," expostulated Mr. Becher, "'Concordia' means Union, and union, you
know, is to reign among us."
"Well, then, why not call it 'Union' at once?" asked the shoemaker, in
surprise. "Why have such a far-fetched expression, which half of us
don't understand?"
"Can't you understand Concordia?" smiled the cabinet-maker.
"No, nor you neither, however you may make believe!"
"The shoemaker is right," Meier opined; "we'll christen it
'Union,'--that sounds better."
"Or 'Harmony!'" suggested the cabinet-maker.
"Why not 'Harmonika' at once. Would you call the town after a
public-house!" exclaimed the brewer. "Well, what next, I wonder?"
"My good people," said the Pastor Hehrmann, interrupting them, "no
object is gained by this dispute. Besides, I don't see at all why we
should puzzle our brains at present about a name, seeing that the town
which is to receive it does not exist yet; the child has to be born
before it can be christened."
"But why not discuss an affair which hereafter will be by no means
unimportant, and for which we have ample leisure just now?" said
Siebert, senior. "For my part, I should wish for a ballot; everybody can
write a name which he has thought of for the future town, upon a slip of
paper, and let the majority decide."
"Yes, that's it--we'll do that!" all exclaimed. Slips were soon
distributed--every one quickly committed his favourite name to paper by
circulating pencils, and threw the slips into the hat of Mr. Becher, who
went round to collect them.
A sheet of paper was then taken, and Mr. Von Schwanthal volunteered to
act as secretary, and to write down the names as they were read over,
and from these to determine which had the majority.
But what names came to light then!--Oldenburgh, Merseburgh, Osterholz,
Sittensen, Helgoland, Saxony, Germany, Hildburghausen, Dresden, Bremen,
Happy Hope, Goldland, Germania; and, nearly towards the last--amidst
universal laughter--"Anna Maria." "Concordia" had only four votes; but
Pastor Hehrmann and Von Schwanthal's "Hoffnung" was successful: a great
number of the others had adopted this, and "Hoffnung" was read over
eleven times; consequently, as having a majority of voices, it was
pronounced to be the name of the town which was to be built.
"Aboard!--aboard!" the voice of the boatman now exclaimed. "All aboard!
we have stayed here long enough!"
The command was speedily attended to, and both boats were, before long,
under way again. The weather, which hitherto had been dull and foggy,
now cleared up completely, and a fresh east wind rustled through the
shadowy tree-tops, and rendered the journey a highly agreeable pleasure
excursion. The passengers might have passed their time very well and
pleasantly upon deck, had not the bridges, which followed each other at
short intervals, proved a great hindrance, for every moment the call,
"Look out!" disturbed them, and immediately afterwards, the boat glided
so closely under the beams that they were compelled to lie flat down
upon their faces, to avoid being pushed off.
"We are coming presently to a couple of very low bridges," said the man
at the helm to the passengers of the foremost boat, who were bivouacked
about the deck in picturesque attitudes, and were beguiling their time
partly by stories, and partly by card-playing. "They are much lower
than those we have passed," he continued, when he saw that his first
warning was unheeded; "and besides, we have taken a great deal of the
cargo out of this boat, which will therefore graze much nearer to the
timbers than the hindmost boat. You had better go below."
For awhile, all remained lying still; at last, however, the tailor rose,
and said, "No; I can't swim, and I don't want to be shoved overboard!
Come along!"
Most of them followed him. The glazier alone lay where he was, saying,
with a yawn, "I need not stand up--it's much pleasanter here than below,
in that box!"
The rest slowly retired to the interior of the boat. The shoemaker and
brewer alone stood beside the helmsman, and looked back at the second
boat, which followed at the distance of a hundred yards.
"I say!" remarked the brewer, laughing, "wont it sound comical, when our
town is built, and people say--'It's so many miles to the Hoffnung
(Hope),' or, 'I live near to the Hope'? or, 'I live in the Hope, No. 7,
on the third floor;' people will think it is a public house! What name
did you vote for?" The brewer would, doubtless, have replied, if both he
and the shoemaker had not forgotten the question; for in the same moment
they saw that the helmsman stooped down, heard the loud laugh of the
glazier, and just as they were turning round, were seized by the low
bridge, and unmercifully shoved overboard, head foremost. But the canal
was not deep, and they soon re-appeared, spluttering and blowing, and
had the satisfaction, besides, of being well laughed at from the second
boat, in which all pressed to the windows and to the entrance. When they
got on board again, of course they were obliged to change their clothes;
but they avoided coming too near the helmsman, as the tailor would have
it that he had done it on purpose.
The glazier had enjoyed the joke royally, but would not leave the deck,
although the American at the helm assured him that the next bridge was
lower still. Stretching himself comfortably, he declared that that was
the best place in the whole boat--and remained.
All the passengers, with the exception of this one, were employed in
various ways in the interior of the boat, when suddenly the voice of the
helmsman was heard. "Take care!" he cried; but with so loud, so anxious
a voice, the warning seemed so earnest and urgent, that all, as if
seized by something which they could not explain, remained motionless,
in the attitudes they were in, and a deathlike silence ensued. But this
was broken by such a fearful yell, that it made the blood even of the
bravest run cold. Immediately afterwards the former stillness prevailed,
and the settlers heard the steersman call to the drivers to stop the
horses, while he jumped upon deck. All now rushed up, to see what could
have happened, to drive even the quiet Pennsylvanian from his post. But
what a horrible spectacle presented itself to their view! Pressed
together, with his head shattered and his clothes torn, the glazier lay
there--a corpse, and the American turned away with a shudder, when, on
attempting to raise his head with his hand, he saw the brain, which
pressed out of the wound. The dreadful event was explained in few
words--the man had remained on deck in spite of all warnings, the bridge
had struck him, and unfortunately his head was raised upon his arms,
which hastened the certain death.
All assembled round the body; but help had come too late; and the
conductor was compelled to proceed, in order to give notice to the
authorities of the next town of what had occurred, and to bury the
remains there. Fortunately, the place was not far distant; and the
horses, as though wishing to flee from the fearful load which they
dragged after them, put all their strength and mettle to the draught. In
less than an hour, the boat stopped alongside of the broad masonry quay
of the canal, whence the news of the casualty quickly spread, and half
the town came out to the boat.
The settlers had to leave the burial of the body to some of their
German countrymen resident there, as the boats would not wait so long on
any condition; and paying the expenses out of the little stock of the
deceased, they quitted, with anything but cheerful feelings, the spot
where they had left the first of their company dead behind them.
It was some time, too, before the former easy tone was resumed. The
people had become dejected; for the quick putting aside of the body, the
little ceremony there was made in taking it away, gave them a glimpse of
the little value that _human life_ bore in their new home. Pastor
Hehrmann was particularly affected by the calamity, and exhorted the
young people again, in the most earnest manner, to follow the warnings
of the Americans, who must, of course, be best acquainted with the
dangers of their own land.
The boats approached the little town of Lockport, where one of them was
to take in further cargo. The captain, however, collected the
passage-money before they arrived here, lest any of his passengers might
step on shore, and forget to return. The fares were paid by each of the
settlers, as agreed upon, out of their own pockets. Mr. Siebert, now,
began to confess that they had, perhaps, brought some things which were
not absolutely necessary to their progress, particularly as he now, for
the first time, noticed that the German implements differed essentially
from the American. His voice, however, found no echo, and the old
story--"We've brought them so far with us, and can't leave them now,"
again silenced every objection.
The boats were to remain half a day at Lockport, and the American
advised the Germans to ride over and see the Falls of Niagara, from
which they were not very distant, and whither the locomotive would carry
them in a very short time.
Pastor Hehrmann determined at once to give his family the treat of this
grand view, and Mr. Becher, M. Von Schwanthal, and Dr. Normann offered
to accompany them; the rest did not think it worth while to undertake a
journey expressly on account of a waterfall, but determined, instead, on
viewing the surrounding country, and left the boat before its arrival at
the town, so as to reach there about noon.
It was late before the whole company assembled again from their various
expeditions. The Niagara excursionists were quite delighted with the
lofty and wonderful spectacle which they had enjoyed, and the others,
especially the country people, were equally astonished at the singular
agricultural arrangements which they had met with. Schmidt, especially,
could not contain himself, for he had met with a couple of fellow
countrymen at Lockport, and had learnt a thousand different matters from
them, which it cost him the greatest possible trouble to believe.
"Round every little field, even if it were only half an acre, there is
what they call a fence,"[5] he kept constantly repeating: "why one will
have nothing else to do, all one's life, but to chop wood and split it."
"I should like to know what I'm to do here," said a locksmith, who had
been into one of the log-houses; "why everything is made of wood here
that we make of iron. The fences may be all very well; but when it
comes to hasps, and hinges, and door-locks of wood--why, there is an end
of everything."
"Well, thus much I can see," said the tailor, "they don't use carpets in
their houses, that's certain; and as to their having wooden locks, that
seems to me quite natural; I should like to see the thief that could
find anything in them worth carrying away."
"They've got no wheels to their ploughs," said Schmidt; "not the least
vestige of a wheel."
"And one is not safe of one's life in the street!" exclaimed the tailor:
"a drove of cows comes along every moment; five times have I been
obliged to climb up to the top of one of their high fences; every time
the great brutes looked at me as though they would eat me. But--hallo!
there's the horn blowing again; the boats are off; so now for Buffalo!"
It was nearly evening when they resumed their journey, and consequently
it was night when they reached Buffalo, on Lake Erie, and they remained
on board the canal-boat until the following morning. A steamer was to
leave at ten o'clock for Cleveland, across Lake Erie, and Dr. Normann
advised them not to neglect the opportunity of going by her, as they
would thereby continue their journey most speedily, and also most
cheaply.
The cargo had now to be transhipped for the fourth time, and in
Cleveland yet again, to a canal-boat, as far as Portsmouth; and in
Portsmouth, for the last time, to another steamer. The treasurer now
clearly saw that the cash in hand would only be sufficient for the
payment of the freight, and perhaps would scarcely suffice for that; he
therefore proposed, either to sell a portion of their goods, or else to
leave them behind, as there were daily opportunities of forwarding them
to the Ohio and the Mississippi. However much a large section of the
settlers might still be opposed to this measure, yet the majority saw at
last that it was necessary that something should be done, which ought
indeed to have been done long since, and, after lengthy debates, the
Committee was authorized to sell a portion of the utensils. But however
the Society might debate about the matter, it was impossible to carry it
out, for if the Committee had had as many days as it had hours for the
purpose of carrying into effect such a sale, it would even then have
striven in vain; for, in the first place, the settlers could not agree
concerning the particular articles which were to be parted with, and, in
the next place, there was no buyer to be found, even at the most
reasonable prices; there was only one blacksmith who came forward, and
he would only pay them for certain articles valued as old iron. This was
rather too much of a good thing, and the suggestion of the landlord of
the tavern, where they had put up for the short time, was gratefully
accepted--viz., to leave the things in an old out-building, which in
winter served for a wood-shed, until they should be inquired for.
According to the advice of several Germans there, they took with them,
besides two carts and a wagon, which, if sold, must have been replaced
hereafter at a high price, (although no more than their freight came
to,) only some saws, chains, and axes, and scarcely left themselves time
to get the rest on board the "Ontario" steamer which soon after rang her
bell and commenced her passage to Cleveland, whereby they were compelled
to leave their remaining things exposed on the water-side. The landlord,
however, promised to take care of everything for them, that they need
not make themselves anxious about it, and swung his cap after them
besides, as long as he could see them.
They reached Cleveland in the night; had to unload there, for the fifth
time, and get themselves and their things into a canal-boat, which bore
them through Ohio State to the Ohio River, at the little town of
Portsmouth; and it was here that they got on board the steamer which was
to take them to the mouth of the Big Halchee, and consequently to within
about fifteen miles of their destination, the projected town of
"Hoffnung."
In Portsmouth, again, they only stopped so long as was necessary to
remove their things on board, for when they arrived, the steamer was on
the point of pushing off, and was only prevailed upon to wait for a
short time by the prospect of the large number of passengers. Any
bargaining for freight or passage-money was therefore out of the
question, and before they were aware of it they saw themselves on the
broad Ohio, gliding past its picturesquely beautiful banks.
"A fine voyage this is!" growled the brewer, when he got time, at last,
to seat himself, weary and tired, on the large chest which contained his
clothes and linen;--"one eternal driving--one eternal lugging about. How
often have I had to haul this cursed box out of one boat into another.
Thank Heaven, this is the last."
"I'm better off there;" laughed the tailor, "my luggage is soon got
across; this little knapsack; the hat-box--the hat lies in the
church--and this handkerchief, with the biscuit and sausage in it, are
all my riches. But, I say, brewer, between ourselves, who is to pay our
passage-money when we've got no more?"
"Why, we're nearly there," replied the brewer.
"Yes; but at present," said the tailor, pulling a long face, "I'm
regularly stumped!"
"No more money?"
"Not a rap."
"Well!" cried the brewer, astonished, "that's a good one; the Committee
will look rather glum."
"Listen," said the shoemaker, who advanced towards them at this moment,
"I've got something on my mind which I should like to tell you."
"Out with it," ejaculated the brewer, encouragingly.
"I have no more money!"
"Come to my heart, companion of my sorrow!" spouted the tailor, in the
mock-heroic style, "now I'm no longer afraid; now there are two of us,
the thing is getting common."
"Well, I'll be hanged if I can see the comfort of that," remarked the
brewer, shaking his head; "the best thing you can do is to go to the
Committee and let them consider the matter."
At this moment they were called by one of the Oldenburghers to the
after-deck, where all the settlers were assembled, (for only Hehrmann's
wife and daughters and Dr. Normann had taken cabin passages,) in order
to confer on an important subject. Five other members of the society had
announced themselves to the Committee as no longer possessing any money
to defray their further travelling expenses, and had applied for the
assistance of the community. They promised to work out every advance so
soon as they should get to their destination. The tailor had his name
and the shoemaker's immediately placed on the list, and the question now
only remained, whether this money was to be supplied out of the funds in
hand or by contributions.
Mr. Siebert, senior, opposed the former proposition with might and main,
and produced the accounts which he had kept of freight and transport
expenses, which, notwithstanding all the bargaining, alone amounted to a
hundred and sixty dollars; so that the whole finances amounted only to
about sixty dollars, while they were still twelve hundred miles from
their new abode.
There was not much to be objected to this--the matter was too clear; but
new difficulties presented themselves when it came to raising a
subscription in order to pay the passage-money of their
fellow-travellers. The Oldenburghers formally opposed it, and declared
that they, too, possessed nothing more, and wished also to be put upon
the list.
Mr. Siebert had behaved rather passively and indifferently hitherto, but
now he came out, and requested all present to give him their attention
for a short time. When all was silent, he turned towards his
fellow-travellers, and, quiet and self-possessed, thus addressed them:--
"Gentlemen, we have come to that point in which our future fortunes, our
future relations to each other, must be ascertained. What was our
intention when we forsook our native land? We intended to found a new
home for ourselves--we intended to buy a strip of land, and to become
farmers. We have got the land--but more is required for farming besides
land merely. We must, as soon as we reach our destination, procure, not
provisions alone, but also utensils for the tillage of the soil, for the
erection of warmer and more substantial habitations; we must purchase
cattle; for however easily cattle may increase in this new country,
still, above all things, the stock must first exist; we must have horses
to draw the ploughs which are to prepare our fields. For all this, money
is required--money, _much_ money; and if we are not in a condition to
raise that, why, our settlement ceases at once, even before it has
begun.
"All this, moreover, was well known to you before we left Bremen, and
_all_ then expressed themselves ready to satisfy such requisitions as
had for their object the founding and maintenance of our new colony, to
the best of their ability, and with cheerfulness. Shall we now, when the
string is first touched, go back from this? Or does _not_ the assistance
of the members (who are necessary to the preservation of the whole)
conduce to the _general_ good? Assuredly it does--and is a principal
condition of the whole. But, as we have touched upon this subject now, I
must go back to our earlier plan, and remind you that the period has now
arrived to put it into execution. Let every one contribute, according to
his ability, towards the common fund, of which an accurate account will
be kept; and the amount subscribed, let it be ever so small, shall yield
interest at four per cent., as pre-arranged; while, as actual occupiers
of the land, the lenders' money is perfectly secured. Besides, this is a
subject long since and frequently discussed; I have even the list here
upon which each of you have entered how much (about) he should be able
and willing to come forward with; the question, therefore, only is,
whether you will perform your former engagements--whether, in fact,
generally, you are minded to carry out your former plans; for now the
time has come for ascertaining this. As it concerns a question,
moreover, which you would probably wish to consider, I request your
reply this afternoon."
The meeting now adjourned, and stormy debates commenced, for the
Emigrants were once more to touch their funds, and that to a more
considerable extent than before, and to place their last money in the
hands of the Committee whom they thereby virtually invested with
absolute authority, for they made themselves entirely dependent upon
them. They considered the matter backwards and forwards; the
Oldenburghers spoke against it; they wanted to divide the land purchased
into as many portions as there were persons who had contributed to its
purchase, so that each might manage his own share on his own account;
but this did not suit the others, who considered the working in common
so much more beneficial and more conducive to their object.
The Committee had gained an important advantage in having joined them in
the 'tween decks; it appeared more natural to them; besides, the little
shanties, which lay scattered all about the banks, also spoke to their
hearts. Thus, they thought to themselves, must their new homes be,
though of course only for the first few years.
The fields adjoining looked so fruitful, the apple and peach orchards
round about the dwellings looked so inviting, that they felt half
inclined to put an end to the question by a hasty resolution; and when,
to crown all, Pastor Hehrmann, Mr. Herbold, and Becher came among them,
and exhorted them to be of good cheer, and when Mr. Becher handed over
100 dollars, and the other two 200 dollars each, before their eyes, to
Siebert, senior, they could not think of considering the matter further;
even the Oldenburghers felt touched; and before two o'clock of the
afternoon, after a narrow inspection, there was found collected, from
all members able to pay, 1932 dollars into the common purse; certainly a
respectable fund to found a modest home in the woods with. The passage
money of the penniless was paid out of this at once, and they undertook
to repay the expenditure so soon as their funds would permit.
Having got over this difficulty, the "settlers" employed themselves in
examining surrounding objects a little more narrowly than hitherto they
had been able to do, on account of the constant bustle. The steamer
itself first claimed their whole attention; it appeared quite different
from the Eastern boats in which they had travelled before. The engine
stood upon deck, and two regular stories were erected, and upon the
latter, whilst the helmsman's place, instead of being aft, was forward,
in a small glass house between the two great chimneys. The cargo was
mostly below in the hold, and the first story, arranged for cabin
passengers only, was not to be approached by deck passengers; but
Siebert, senior, and Pastor Hehrmann had an opportunity of seeing the
whole when they paid the total amount of freight and passage money which
they had collected from the individual members. Pastor Hehrmann,
besides, might have remained there on account of his family, but he
wished, just at that time, to avoid everything which might lead to envy
or discussion. The cabin was beautifully fitted up, the long and large
saloon was closely hung with pictures, and between these, large richly
fringed crimson curtains concealed the sleeping berths for gentlemen,
whilst an apartment in the after-part of the boat was separated by a
glass-door from the rest, and distinguished as the ladies' cabin, to
which was added, besides, a small black shield, with an inscription in
gold letters thereon, announcing, 'no admittance.'
The mode of steering the boat struck them particularly, for, as the
steersman stood in front, two wire ropes issued from the little house in
which the wheel was turned, right through the ship, aft to the rudder.
The two long boilers were placed forward of the engine, and were there
fired by the stokers.
As they stopped at several small towns, they only reached Cincinnati,
the largest city of Ohio State, and, indeed, of the whole of Western
America, on the next day. The Captain announced to them that he should
remain there until the following morning, and, therefore, that they
would have ample time to look about the town, only they must be aboard
by seven the next morning. The people did not need to be told this
twice; they streamed ashore in shoals, and drew off in single groups
through the broad and handsome streets of the town. But everywhere they
met Germans; they saw their countrymen in all parts; and when they got
over some canal bridges into the other part of the town, their mother
tongue sounded out of every door, and out of every open window.
Our party of four, whom we have so often already followed in their
wanderings, again found themselves together, and determined to make a
regular good use of the day, to see whatever was worth seeing and within
reach, without much expense.
They strolled slowly along the quay, or steam-boat landing, as it is
there called, and were just passing one of the innumerable little
clothes-stores, when a young and dapper little fellow, with well-curled
hair, and very shining boots, dived out of the depths of the recess,
approached the four men, cast a scrutinizing glance at them, and then,
without more ado, seized Schmidt round the waist, and dragged him
towards the entrance, whilst he, at the same time, gabbled a lot of
English stuff to him, of which Schmidt did not understand one word.
"Let me go," he cried, peevishly, at last; "or at all events, talk so
that I may understand what you want."
The young man still hung back with his German, which, he undoubtedly
understood; but as he saw that his English was of no use, he begged our
four fellow-travellers in very good, though rather Jewish German, just
to step in and look at his goods.
"We don't want anything," said Schmidt, who did not feel comfortable at
being caught hold of in such a way by a stranger; "our clothes are all
good."
"All good!" repeated contemptuously the young Israelite--"all good? Then
I should like to see what you call bad. And you go across the street in
Cincinnati in that coat? you present yourself before decent people with
those trousers? you wear such a hat upon your head? If I only had a
garden I would change a new suit for this old one; I would, upon my
honour, only to get such a scarecrow for birds as is not to be found
elsewhere in the world--I give you my word of honour, I would."
"Hark ye," said Schmidt, who was getting angry, "what the---- Well, I
wont use bad language--though I was going to say----"
"Don't be angry, my good sir; don't be angry," exclaimed the little
fellow, "the clothes would be good enough if any other person wore them,
but with such a handsome figure as yours, it's a thousand pities to have
such a bundle of rags hanging round you. Here"--he interrupted Schmidt,
who was getting angry again--"I'll sell you a whole suit for----"
"Much obliged," said the latter, and made an effort to free himself from
the hands of the clothes-dealer; "I don't want anything." But the thing
was easier thought of than executed, for the little Israelite held fast,
and overwhelmed poor Schmidt with such a heap of compliments, as to his
appearance, how wrong it was of him to habit his handsome limbs in that
fashion, that at last the latter did not know what to do, and was
already asking the price of a pair of trousers, merely to get rid of the
importunate one, when the brewer, who for some time past had found the
thing going beyond the bounds of his patience, came to the rescue. With
powerful grasp he seized the slender Jew, till the latter sung out
lustily, and said to him--
"Hands off! Hands off, I say! Nobody is forced to buy bargains here; if
we want any clothes, the tailor will make them for us; that's what he's
there for." And seizing his astonished comrade by the arm, he dragged
him by force out of the shop.
"The devil is in the tailors here in America," said Schmidt, when he got
outside. "These fellows are worse than highwaymen, who at all events
wait till it gets dark before they attack you, but that fellow begins at
noon-day."
"And you would have bought something, sure enough," said the shoemaker,
as they turned up the main street.
"What was I to do? he would not let me go."
"Look, here's another clothes-shop, and another Jew inside," said the
tailor; "this makes the fifteenth out of thirty-three houses that we
have passed; they just do swarm here."
Strolling thus up the street, they came between the sixth and seventh
cross streets, opposite to a German tavern, and finding a number of
their fellow-countrymen there, they stopped. But these had been some
time in America, and so soon as they heard that the four men were
new-comers, they set up such a lamentation about bad times, and want of
money, that the settlers felt quite hot and uncomfortable.
It is true, that at first they would not give in to these complaints,
for what Dr. Normann had told them about the country sounded quite
different, but at last, staggered by the testimony of so many
bystanders, doubts began to arise in their minds, and the shoemaker
said,--rather faint-heartedly, however--
"If one can earn a dollar a day at work, I should think that one might
live upon it."
"Yes, if one could get it," replied an old Hanoverian peasant, who,
rather ragged, and with pale cheeks, was sitting on a bench before the
house, nodding hard with his head at the same time. "But they scarcely
pay one twenty-five dollars a month during the harvest, and after that,
poor devils may get on again as best they can. They offered me and my
two sons six dollars a month; the two boys were obliged to accept it,
but I was taken ill, and am eating up nearly all they earn."
"Are they making no railroads, no canals, hereabouts? There's always
plenty of money when they are going on."
"Half a dollar a day, and on wet days they don't work. Payments are made
monthly in paper money, and if one afterwards loses the fourth part
only, one must think one's self lucky."
"But handicraftsmen are well paid here, are they not?" asked the tailor.
"Paid!" exclaimed another, laughing ironically, out of the open door.
"I'm a tailor, and I've worked for two months past for my board."
"But, my good people," said the little fellow, dolefully, "why, it must
be dreadful here in America, then. What is one to do?"
"It's not so bad as the people make out," interposed a farmer, who now
joined them, and whose clean clothes and white fine linen bespoke a
certain easiness of circumstances. "It's not so bad," he repeated, "only
you must not suppose that roast pigeons fly about, crying, 'come eat
me!' First learn the ways and customs, first learn the language of the
country, and you'll work yourself into the whole system of the people
with whom you have to mix. Only don't stop in the towns; out into the
country, become countrymen, breed cattle; if you have to work for small
wages at first, what matter; every man must pay his apprenticeship-fee,
and don't suppose that you can escape doing that here. If for a year, or
even two, things go ill with you, don't abuse the country and the people
directly; no one drops from the sky a master ready-made, and good work
must bide good time."
"Well, that sounds reasonable," said the brewer; "there's no great
lamentation about the matter, nor does he overpraise the thing; so
there's some hope left, that, after awhile, we may earn something on our
land."
"Bought already?" said the farmer.
"Yes; a whole company."
"Good land?"
"It's said to be very good; we haven't seen it yet."
"And bought already; well, that is old-countryman like; the Americans
don't do things that way; they see the land first, and then they don't
always buy it exactly; they go on Congress land, which they have to pay
for in a couple of years, and with their ready money buy cattle; that
doubles its value in three years, and is as good as thirty-three or
forty per cent. Where is your land, then?"
"In Tennessee, on a small river which they call Big Halchee, or
something like that; they've got such break-jaw names here."
"Big Halchee?" said the farmer--"that is a creek, a brook merely; but
the land there is said to be good. 'Tis unhealthy, it is true."
"The deuce it is!" exclaimed the shoemaker, startled. "Dr. Normann told
us it lay in the healthiest part of the State."
"Well, then, it must be a long way up the Creek."
"I don't know what you mean by crick," grunted the brewer; "the place is
said to be fifteen miles from the Mississippi, and there are some houses
upon it."
"Very likely," said the farmer; "I was never up the country there. And
when are you going?"
"Now, directly."
"Now? In August? Well then, I wish you joy of the fever," said the
farmer, laughing, drank the glass of cider which he had called for, and
went off up the street.
The brewer meanwhile ordered some beer, growled something about
nonsensical stuff, fever, fiddlestick, old women's tales, and so on, and
then wandered off with his comrades higher up into the town.
"Well," said the shoemaker, at last, stopping near a shoemaker's
workshop--"if that isn't curious; I begin to think that all the
shoemakers in Cincinnati are confectioners. Only look now at the
gingerbread and sugarcandy in that window there, a whole lot of it; the
few pairs of shoes only seem to be hung beside by way of ornament."
"A pretty sort of ornament, indeed," grinned the tailor. "The shoemaker
is right, though; honeycakes and leather must agree well together here;
but perhaps it isn't a shoemaker's."
"Not a shoemaker's!" bawled the other, peevishly. "I should think I
ought to know a shoemaker when I see one. Don't you see him hammering
away, yonder, between the honeycake and the pink child's-shoe."
"Yes, sure enough," said the little man; "it must be the custom here,
then; opposite yonder is another, and he has got a whole box of
ready-made[6] shoes standing before his door."
"Hallo! he must have been a hard-working fellow," exclaimed the
shoemaker, in astonishment, on perceiving the number of shoes set up in
a large box; "and upon my word all made with little wooden pegs,
too--they don't appear to sew here at all."
"Where shall we go to this evening?" asked the brewer. "I wish there was
something to be seen here."
"Another striped pig, perhaps?" suggested Schmidt.
"Nonsense," growled the other. "But, I say, the Museum yonder, in that
wide street where the red lantern is hanging, is said to be well worth
seeing. What say you?--shall we go in? It only costs a quarter dollar."
"That would be just one half of all that I am worth," said the tailor.
"Well, I'll pay for you, tailor, if Schmidt will pay for the shoemaker."
"Agreed," replied Schmidt. "I'm willing to stand Sam; only I should
like to be shaved first, for my beard feels very prickly--but I have not
seen a sign of a bason[7] anywhere, although I've been constantly
looking for one."
"There are some Germans; perhaps they can tell us where a barber is to
be found."
"Walk down here till you come to the first red-and-white painted pole,
that's a barber's shop."
"What! a little pole with a gilt knob at the top?" asked Schmidt.
"Yes, there are five or six of them in this street."
"Well, that is a curious sign for a barber," said the shoemaker; "I've
been puzzling my brains all day to find out what those poles could
mean."
They soon arrived at one of these shops, whence the cheerful notes of a
fiddle issued towards them. Schmidt went in, while the rest employed
themselves outside in noticing the passers-by, and in looking into the
different shop windows; but they had not waited long, before Schmidt,
with his face all over lather up to his eyes, came running out again,
clapped his hat on his head, and fled.
The three burst into a roar of laughter, and other people also stopped
to see what was the matter.
But Schmidt, who perhaps was a little ashamed, quickly wiped the soap
off with his handkerchief, and turned aside into a side street, whither
his comrades followed him.
"What, in the name of wonder, has happened to you?" asked the brewer.
"Nothing," said Schmidt; "I was a jackass; but I got such a fright when
I saw that tall black fellow with the razor."
"The _black_ fellow?" asked the tailor.
"Yes," said Schmidt. "When I went in, I sat myself down with my face to
the door, and a little white boy lathered me, while at the back of the
shop, behind a sort of curtain, somebody was performing beautifully on
a fiddle; it went so fast, that one could not distinguish the different
notes. When my face had been lathered, the playing suddenly stopped, and
before I was aware of it, one of those negro fellows that run about the
streets here by dozens--a big, dangerous-looking fellow, with great
goggle eyes, and a shining razor in his hand--approached me. I suppose
that he was going to shave me, but I was so startled that up I jumped,
tore the napkin off my neck, caught up my hat, and was out of the house
like lightning; they must have had a good laugh at me."
"Didn't they just laugh!" said the shoemaker; "the black stepped into
the doorway, and grinned till it looked as though his two rows of teeth
stretched from ear to ear. But it was stupid of you, Schmidt; he
wouldn't have cut your head off."
"Oh, I know that well enough, only I was so taken aback at the first
moment; the fellow looked so grim. What am I to do now?"
"Why, go into some other barber's shop, for you must not show yourself
in that one again on any account; it's as well that we leave here
to-morrow morning. There's one down yonder."
Schmidt followed this advice, and went through the operation this time,
but declared positively, that he had again fallen into the hands of a
black.
When this matter had been disposed of, they wandered slowly down
Main-street again, and got entrance tickets for the Museum.
There we must leave them, and follow another section of the travelling
companions--viz., the two Sieberts, Pastor Hehrmann, Becher, and
Herbold, who had likewise walked up into the town, and had sought out a
chemist and druggist named Strauss, to whom they were recommended by Dr.
Normann. He received them in a very friendly manner, and in the
afternoon took a walk with them. Mr. Strauss had not been long in
America himself, but had lived nearly the whole time in Cincinnati, and
appeared to have made himself pretty well acquainted with the state of
affairs there; he did not praise the place much, and showed a
disposition to remove westward. Siebert immediately tried to gain him
over for their colony, but was unable to induce him to promise anything
certain, although the idea of quitting Cincinnati did not seem to be a
difficulty. He inquired with much interest into the plans and prospects
of his countrymen, but shook his head several times very doubtfully,
when the relators got into what he called their "castles in the air." He
had known Dr. Normann for some years, and inquired with much interest
after all that related to him.
"To be candid with you," he said, at last, "I don't altogether trust
that gentleman."
"How so?" exclaimed Mr. Siebert, in some alarm.
"Well, he has told me such stories about inventions which he pretends to
have made, some of which are really ridiculous; brags so much of
Republican-American sentiments, and altogether plays the part of such an
extraordinarily clever and wonderfully rich man, that I have become
somewhat distrustful of him, the more particularly, because, as far as
regards the latter assumption, I have strong proofs to the contrary; but
I may be mistaken; he may be a very honourable man, and a clever one he
certainly is."
Thus conversing about one thing and the other, they had wandered through
most of the streets of the town, and had returned to Main-street again,
when Strauss suddenly stopped before a low, wide building, with a wooden
staircase, and said--
"By the bye, we were talking, this morning, about the politics of the
Germans here; would you like to attend a German political meeting this
evening?"
"Willingly," they all said; "where is it held?"
"Just here, where we are standing, in the house of a fellow-countryman,
of course, who, besides, keeps very good beer. Cincinnati is, moreover,
the Munich[8] of North America. But here is the place; and, as I hear,
the speechifying has commenced----"
They walked in, and found a pretty numerous assemblage of Germans, who
were mostly sitting round a table, talking together in a very animated
manner, and only ceasing when one of them, by rattling a tin can,
intimated a wish to address the assembly.
The election of President was at hand, and the Democrats were trying
their utmost to get the Democrat Polk elected President; whilst the
Whigs were noways behind hand in _their_ exertions in opposition, and to
carry their candidate to the Capitol at Washington. But, instead of
being satisfied with praising their own respective candidates, and
placing them in the most favourable light, both parties were chiefly
engaged in blackening the character of the man put forward by the
opposite party, in such a dreadful manner, that if what they said were
true, no respectable dog could have accepted a piece of bread at his
hands.
In such a meeting they now found themselves, and the settlers had
already listened with great attention to the addresses of various
orators, whose words were frequently interrupted by shouts of
approbation, and rewarded by thunders of applause.
"It must be admitted," said Becher, when, after awhile, they had walked
up and down outside the house to cool themselves--"it must be admitted
that they have a peculiar way of speaking here--such violent abuse of
one man, whose only offence appears to be, that their opponents wish to
make him President; their style would not suit my taste; however,
different countries, different manners; probably the Whigs are not much
better."
"Worse still, if possible, worse still," said Strauss, laughing. "But
could you understand all that the people inside there were saying?"
"Well," replied Pastor Hehrmann, "I have listened pretty attentively,
but I cannot say that I comprehended everything; some of their sentences
seemed very bombastic."
"Yes," Becher interrupted him; "now that you mention it, I think I
could also affirm that those portions of the speeches which the people
applauded most loudly, contained nothing further than very vague ideas;
the good folks seem easily satisfied."
"Will you believe me," smiled Strauss, "that I will go in and talk
nonsense for five minutes--nonsense, pure barefaced nonsense--and that
at the conclusion it shall be hailed with loud plaudits?"
"Well, I don't think them quite so bad as that comes to, either," said
Pastor Hehrmann, with a deprecating shake of the head; "they are
actuated with the best intentions--viz., that of having the affairs of
the republic, in which they live, managed as well as possible; and if
they are not exactly learned men, still they probably can distinguish
sense from nonsense."
"Well," said Strauss, "we can make the experiment. Come in with me; only
keep serious; that's all I ask of you."
The meeting was powerfully excited by a speech which had just been made.
Here and there violent blows of fists upon the table testified what
strength their owners were capable of using should they be called upon
to combat for the right cause, and all of them were talking and
hallooing together.
Strauss had to rattle the tin can several times; at last the excitement
abated a little, and the new orator stood upon a chair.
"Gentlemen,"--he now began, after casting a searching glance round the
circle, and making some very long pauses, particularly in the
commencement, as though he were overcome by his feelings, until at last,
by degrees, he got into full swing, as Mr. Becher afterwards observed,
and pursued the thread of his discourse with more animated words and
gesticulations,--"It is with satisfaction--that I do myself the
honour--of standing up in this place--which it would be impossible to
express. I see that you are determined to remain true to your former
well-tried and honourable opinions. I see the fire of courage and of
patriotism beaming in your eyes. I see that you will not bow down again
under that yoke which you have but recently shaken off, together with
the old country, your former home." (No, no, no! from several parts of
the room.)--"Gentlemen, it is not only necessary that we should show
firm resolution in the exertions which we have attained by the
perseverance of our dear fellow-countrymen, and with iron determination
refuse to join a party which tries to frighten us by trickery and
bragging; no, we must also, conscious of our worth, in the hope of real
and irresistible conviction, endeavour to carry out that feeling which
inflames us with holy ardour, that feeling for justice and freedom which
is a birthright of Germans!" (Bravo! bravo! from all
sides.)--"Gentlemen," Strauss, becoming warmer, now proceeded--"you have
an internal conviction of the words of truth. Although British gold and
selfish opinions may oppress a portion of this holy republic, although
tyranny and oppression may threaten with chains and sharpened swords,
have you ever been dismayed? Did you not return gloriously and
triumphantly from the former battle?" (Hurrah for Strauss!
hurrah!)--"Yes, my dear fellow-countrymen, you understand my feelings,
but you also know, as I do, that a party cannot triumph in whose hearts
a participation in deceit and seductive appearances has taken root,
whose independence and convictions are attacked by venal brokers and
agents, in which the blind fanaticism of thousands aimed at a height
which, by chimerical hopes and impressions, composed of promises and
deceptions, sought in vain to attain that goal which comes to meet and
bless an honest heart." (Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for Strauss! the crowd
exclaimed, and the rejoicing and clattering of drinking vessels for some
moments drowned every other word.) "No, no, and no, again I say,"
continued Strauss, as soon as the noise had abated a little. "When the
heart does not with loud throbs throw itself into the arms of
liberty,--when strength does not stretch out its powerful hands into
one great alliance--where talent and knowledge do not work together with
firm and inflexible unanimity, where, during generations, evil has not
been held in contempt and good honoured--of what avail are the
fine-drawn nets of the hypocrites, who appear to spread their yarns with
cunning fingers? Let them spread them, let them contrive--the
tricksters! let the nets become closer and closer daily, which are to
conceal their guilt with an easily rent and transparent covering. Let
them rejoice in their vileness--let them, with gnashing teeth, defile
the throne of truth, which is firmly wound round the hearts of our party
with twenty-handed arms! Let them go on patiently. But as for us, I
point with luminous finger to the oriflamme of youthful Immortality--for
us, I say, away, away with cunning and false shame! away with fraud,
away with false appearances! We, my brothers, are German democrats, and
let our motto be, 'German perseverance and German truth!'"
"Hurrah!" screamed the crowd once more, in ear-piercing chorus, as
Strauss descended from the chair, and several approached, and shook
hands with him in a friendly manner.
Pastor Hehrmann, however, had quietly gone out as soon as the speech was
concluded; the rest now followed him; and Strauss, as soon as he joined
them, smilingly asked them whether he had been as good as his word.
"Deuce take it!" exclaimed Becher, "but that was a capital speech; and
how pleased they were with it!"
"That was nothing," whispered Strauss; "there were too many of the
'honourables' there, and one must not lay it on too thick with them. But
the other day I was in my element; they called upon me for a speech, and
I talked such stuff to them that at last I began to be ashamed myself.
At the conclusion I compared _our_ president to a comet, and said, that
'as the latter the more it stretches backward the broader it becomes, so
shall we in our progress grow and increase in strength, till, like a
brilliant comet in the night sky of the opposite party, we shall break
our way shining and flaming to the zenith of the firmament.' You should
have heard the applause; and the lacemaker from down in Front-street,
who has made a couple of thousand dollars or so, and therefore considers
himself a wonderfully clever fellow--but who, I may observe in passing,
is a dreadful Whig and a blockhead, and had only come to our meeting to
hear what was going forward,--went away, saying, 'It's all very well,
anybody can deal in abuse.'"
"But I don't consider it right to mystify the people in such a way as to
their feelings; why not speak to them in clear distinct words? why not
endeavour to strengthen them in pure unadulterated truth?"
"Mr. Hehrmann," said Strauss, becoming more serious, "I could answer
that question by another, but we will confine ourselves to what is
political. You dare not do it; no one would listen to you at last, and
the people would say, 'He will only tell us what we know well enough
already,' whether they know it or not. No, to be a Mentor of the people,
I, for one, shall not aspire; but if they will be made fools of it's
their own fault. If they would only learn to _think_ before they would
_abuse_, all that would not happen; but you may convince yourself, from
every individual, with a few exceptions, that what I say is correct.
Thousands of my worthy fellow-countrymen, some of whom even pass for
political luminaries, know and understand as little of American politics
as most German reviewers know of the books which they review. They just
cast a glance into them, and criticize away.
"The Germans here follow the multitude, and many of our German Tom
Noddys, who with puffed-up cheeks look down upon their poorer
countrymen, although they themselves, but a few months before, scarcely
had salt to their bread, become Whigs; because they now come in contact
with rich Americans who are Whigs, and who see through these
addle-heads, flatter them, and lead them by the nose so long as they
want to make use of them. You cannot conceive what a contemptible animal
is one of these German parvenus who has become rich. But it is getting
late, and we had better go to bed; farewell, therefore, until to-morrow;
I'll come round to the boat before it starts."
The settlers followed the advice of the apothecary, and, wearied with
the constant wandering about, retired to rest. Pastor Hehrmann, however,
continued silently to walk up and down the deserted deck in deep musing,
till weariness overcame him also, and he laid himself down, wrapped in
his cloak, beside the little cabin of the pilot, there in the open air,
to await the rising sun.
The dawn was yet contending with the increasing light of the young day,
and the crew, who had been busy at work cleaning the various decks, had
just concluded their labours, when the door of one of the sleeping
apartments in the ladies' cabin opened, and the pastor's elder daughter
stepped out into the fresh morning air, to greet the first rays of the
awakening day. The neighbourhood, still and pleasant, lay before her;
the river murmured and splashed lightly against the sides of the boat;
fishes leaped out of the water; single boats, with snow-white sails,
glided quickly across the stream, and all nature rested, overspread with
such a lovely charm, that the dear and good girl gently folded her
hands, and with her clear eyes turned toward the equally pure sky,
prayed inwardly.
"Good morning, Bertha!" whispered a voice, softly; and the maiden
started back, exclaiming "Oh!" with a glad voice--but she receded still
farther, pale and frightened, when she saw the sharp eyes of Dr. Normann
fixed upon her with a keen though friendly expression. He now climbed
quickly over the paddle-box down to the gallery of the ladies' cabin,
and approached the young girl, who timidly drew back, exclaiming,
reproachfully--"Doctor, you must have mistaken the place."
"No, my dear Bertha," said the doctor, seizing her hand, which she,
half mechanically, let him do. "No, I do not mistake, but the boat will
leave in a few hours, and I myself cannot leave Cincinnati, on account
of business, until the expiration of some weeks. It is therefore not
possible for me to part from you thus, without having first declared
myself."
Bertha would have withdrawn her hand, but he would not let her, but
continued, more passionately,
"Bertha, there is no time now to choose convenient times and places; I
am on the point of losing you. You must, during the whole time you have
known me, have remarked with what devotion I love you."
"Sir!" said Bertha, alarmed.
"Do not take away this hand from me," the doctor continued, with ardent
looks; "do not reject the heart of one who is capable, nay, the whole
wish of whose soul is to make you happy; do not turn your dear face
away; say at least that you are not angry with me."
"Leave me, sir, I beg of you," said the girl, who was now really
alarmed; "I can give you no hopes to encourage feelings which I cannot
reciprocate."
"I have startled you, Bertha, have I not?" asked the doctor; "you are
angry with me on that account."
"I am not angry with you; no, do not misunderstand me; you have been so
disinterestedly obliging to my parents, and to the whole company, that I
cannot help giving you my whole esteem."
"Oh! why that cold word--esteem?" said Normann.
"Do not demand more; I cannot, I dare not, ever feel more, I----"
"You love another; you love yonder young man, who----"
"Sir," said the otherwise so-retiring girl, drawing herself up proudly,
"I believe that I am not bound to give any account of my feelings to
you." With these words, she endeavoured to go back on the gallery, in
order to return into the cabin, whither the doctor dared not have
followed her, but he barred her passage, and said, in a low tone, but
gravely: "Bertha, I love you--love you with a passion that startles even
myself. Bertha, you _must_ be mine; do not rob me of every hope; say, at
least, that you may, one day."
"Sir, you will oblige me to call for assistance if you do not let me go.
You cannot hope to force me to love you? Farewell; _if_ we ever meet
again, may this conversation be forgotten by both of us. I bear no
ill-will towards you."
With these words, she stepped past the doctor, who no longer sought to
detain her, but looked darkly after her, and then murmuring something
between his teeth, quickly regained the upper deck; without looking
round, he jumped off the other side of the paddle-box in a bound or two
on to the lower deck of the boat, strode over the plank, and disappeared
in a few minutes more among the buildings of the town.
The Captain was as good as his word, as to their early departure; it was
not yet seven o'clock when his bell sounded for the first time, and soon
after, the mooring ropes were got in. Strauss, who wished to take leave
of his new friends, could scarcely press their hands, before the engines
began to work, and in a very short time more, the boat panted, hissing
and foaming, down the stream towards the father of the waters--the
Mississippi.
At breakfast, all the 'tween deck passengers assembled in the lower
deck, but they were not a little astonished on finding that Dr. Normann
had disappeared so mysteriously without taking leave. Pastor Hehrmann,
it is true, might have given them some explanation, for he had been an
unintentional spectator from the upper, or so-called hurricane deck, of
the whole interview between his daughter and the doctor; but the latter,
in hurrying off, had not observed Hehrmann, and as his daughter said
nothing on the subject, the pastor determined not to allude in any way
to what had taken place.
"What can have become of the doctor!" exclaimed Becher, when he had been
sought for everywhere, and the conviction forced itself upon them that
he was not on board. "This morning I saw him running hastily into the
town. I called after him, too, but he either did not, or would not hear
me."
"Probably," suggested the elder Siebert, "he went to look after
something or other, and did not think that the boat would start so soon.
Is his luggage still on board?"
"If I am not much mistaken, he carried that under his arm," replied
Becher, "but I will not positively affirm it."
M. Von Schwanthal now gave a different turn to the conversation as well
as to the thoughts of the settlers, by describing the Museum--where, on
the preceding evening, he had fallen in with our four-leaved shamrock,
Schmidt, the shoemaker, the tailor, and the brewer,--in such a droll
manner, that all assembled round him.
"They call it a Museum of Natural History," he said, laughing; "a couple
of cupboards full of stuffed birds, and hideous drawn-out beasts, are
the only things that belong to natural history in the place; but there
are plenty of other things; for example, mammoth's bones, Indian weapons
and dresses; a cuirass, picked up after the battle of Waterloo, on
which, if I mistake not, the hero's blood yet sticks; a French
postillion's boot--the latter was shown as something particularly
curious; a piece of steam-boiler that had burst and was blown from the
steamer, I don't know how many hundred yards, upon the shore; snakes in
spirits-of-wine; and, above all things, a horrible room-full of relics
of criminals; ropes and nightcaps of people who have been hanged;
awfully distorted heads of malefactors in spirits; hands and feet cut
off; knives and axes, with which deeds of murder have been done, and on
which the blood may yet be seen. Pish! a shudder runs through me at the
very thought of it."
"And then the large dolls," said the tailor.
"Yes, splendid wax-figures, representing nothing but tales of murder and
robbery, and then such attitudes! One thing amused me very much; under a
glass-case there stood a kind of machine, put together of iron and
brass wheels: it is true it was immovable, but below was a label pasted
on it, whereon was written, 'Perpetuum mobile.'"
"And the last was pretty, too," said the shoemaker, who could not
conceive why the Committee laughed at this; "there came in one of these
negroes, and threw a whole lot of plates in the air, and danced about
underneath them without letting one fall to the ground."
"But how about 'Hell?'" smiled Von Schwanthal, glancing sideways at the
brewer; the other three burst out into a hearty laugh.
"Well," said the brewer, rather vexed, "I should like to know who would
not have been startled. They've got a concern there which they call
Hell, a whole room-full of devils, poor souls, snakes, and I don't know
all what. On one side there was a railing, so I leant quietly against
it, and was looking at a tall skeleton that stood close beside me and
had frightful claws; but while I was thinking of nothing of the kind, it
turned suddenly round and sprang right at me--it looked horrid."
"The brewer did not make a bad jump either," Von Schwanthal continued,
taking up the narrative; "but unfortunately he alighted upon the corns
of an old lady, who began to abuse him soundly."
"She must have been a German," said the brewer; "for though she
spluttered out nothing but English gibberish, yet the first word she
said was 'Rindvieh.' (brute or ox, lout,) I understood that."
"That wouldn't be difficult for you," tittered the tailor.
Siebert, senior, had meanwhile looked round once more after Dr. Normann,
but without being able to see or hear anything of him, and the emigrants
had to comfort themselves with the fact, that he had promised to visit
them very shortly in their new settlement. For the moment, also, their
senses were too much occupied with the present, in seeing all that was
new, which glided past them, sometimes on the river, sometimes on the
shore, and as the weather was warm and beautiful, they spent the greater
part of the day, as of the night, on deck.
Bertha, after the doctor left the boat, had given vent to her distressed
feelings, in her lonely berth, by a healing flood of tears; but
determined on concealing the conversation which had taken place from her
parents, in order not to trouble them unnecessarily, and at breakfast
she appeared collected and almost cheerful.
The boat pursued its course with rushing speed down stream, and already,
on the second evening, reached the mouth of the Ohio, the little town of
Cairo, at the south-west angle of Illinois State. But here the
passengers had the mortification to discover that they were to be
removed into another boat--"the Orinoco," upon one of the largest of the
Mississippi steamers, as the smaller, "Dayton," hoped to do more
business on the Ohio, which just then could not be conveniently
navigated by the larger vessels, by reason of the want of water. But
they did not experience much inconvenience in the matter, for the little
vessel laid herself close alongside of the larger one, and in less than
three hours all was ended, and their position was at the same time
considerably improved, as well as regards room as convenience.
Now, therefore, they found themselves, for the first time, on the mighty
Mississippi River; Pastor Hehrmann gazed gloomily out upon the yellow
surface of its waters, which with headlong rapidity rolled themselves
down in enormous breadth between its flat banks.
"And I had pictured to myself such a lovely idea of this mighty
Mississippi!" he murmured to himself; "and now it looks so desert and
wild, so malicious and spiteful: many a thing loses its charm when it is
looked at near at hand."
The remaining settlers seemed less unpleasantly surprised by the grand
surface of water which spread itself out before them.
"That's something like a river!" said the tailor; "one almost feels as
though one were going to sea again; I really should not know which way
to steer to get down it."
"It's a good job the pilot isn't quite so stupid," said the shoemaker,
and the little one probably concurred in this view, for he simply nodded
his head.
But the weather did not continue so favourable as it had been. From the
other side of the river, from above the close tree-tops, dark heavy
masses of cloud rolled themselves on towards them, spread all over the
sky, and made the neighbourhood look yet more dreary and more
forbidding. Now and then single clouds discharged their loads of water,
and the rain streamed down at those moments with such fearful force that
the people in the boat, which rushed through it, felt quite anxious and
frightened. But while they were sitting in the dry and tolerably
comfortable space of the lower deck, awaiting the clearing up of the
weather, the by no means agreeable cry of "wood aboard! wood aboard!"
was heard through the boat, and, well or ill, _all_ had to turn out, for
_all_ had engaged, when they paid less passage-money than they otherwise
would have done, to help to carry the wood for the firing of the boat. A
certain Republican spirit had prompted them not to shrink from a kind of
work which some other passengers who travelled with them did not shun.
It is true that they had not taken into account that their clothes were
not suitable, and that they possessed neither the practice nor the
endurance required to bear, without grumbling, a hardship which they now
discovered was none of the lightest.
The evening set in; it became dark, and rained as though the skies were
coming down; and during several hours they had to clamber up the steep
and slippery river-bank, about twenty or thirty feet in height, and get
down again with three or four heavy pieces of cordwood on their
shoulders, in doing which they not unfrequently slipped and fell, and
sometimes hurt themselves considerably without receiving any comfort in
return, except that, when after three hours' work, they went on board
again, tired and worn out, with torn and soiled clothes, they were
laughed at into the bargain by the crew of the "Orinoco." In return for
this, and for a repetition of the same work two or three times more,
they saved a dollar per man on the whole voyage.
The next day was not much better; the weather remained dull and rainy,
and the wood-carrying had to be done twice more; but they were now
hourly approaching nearer and nearer to the object of their journey, and
the captain told Siebert, senior, who spoke English, that he should land
them about one in the morning at the mouth of the Big Halchee.
"Do you know the place?" asked Siebert.
"No, I do not; but the pilot thinks it is a little creek of that name,
and lies between Randolph and the northern boundary of Tennessee."
"What is the name of the town at the mouth of it, then?"
"Town!--there's no town at the mouth."
"No town! Well, then, some little place?"
"Yes; a cordwood-chopper lives there with his family, if he has not
moved away yet. Those people are always on the move."
"Strange!" grumbled Siebert to himself; but the idea did not seem to
please him, that only a solitary wood-cutter should occupy the mouth of
their river; for he concluded, not unreasonably, that many settlers must
have located themselves there, had the watercourse been of any
magnitude; he said nothing about it, however. And now preparations
commenced in earnest for getting ready all their cargo of valuables, in
order not to be detained too long with the unloading when the boat
should land. It was unpleasant, of course, that it should rain and be
dark when they reached the place of their destination, but that could
not be helped; all were glad to be so near the goal, and had not the
least fear for the future. They were aware, no doubt, that they should
have to make shift with the few buildings which they should find upon
their farm, but still it was a beginning, and comforts might be obtained
by and by.
Night came on--the rain poured down in streams--all nature seemed in
agitation; but the mighty boat hissed and hurried through the roaring
storm, dashing with its paddles the yellow waves the wilder, towards the
steep and loose river hanks, where they broke, so that here and there
large lumps of earth were loosened and precipitated with a splash into
the flood.
"But we can't land in weather like this," said Von Schwanthal to
Siebert, senior; "the captain will have to lie-to until to-morrow
morning."
"That he wont;" said Siebert, shaking his head, "we needn't reckon upon
that; these captains of steamers are a rough, hardened set of fellows;
no, he would put us ashore if it rained pebble-stones."
"If there's only a good tavern not far from the shore we may there await
better weather."
"Well, I hope there may be!" sighed Siebert, and went to his box, to
cord it and get it ready.
Bustling activity now reigned everywhere among the passengers, but not
the best of humours; the weather had put them out, and the greater part
of them sat about, grumbling, agitated by uncomfortable feelings, in the
corners of the 'tween decks.
Midnight was past, when the bell rang for landing, while the thunder
outside accompanied its sound, which echoed far out into the darkness.
Not long after a firebrand was swung on the left shore, and the vessel
took a sweep in order to lie-to with her stern to the stream; the
captain at the same time stepped to the 'tween decks, and cried--
"Big Halchee--who's for the shore?"
The sailors and stokers followed, and seized everything that came to
hand, and put it ashore; but not above, at the top of the bank, but
close to the river's edge, where about fifteen cords of wood were
already piled up. These meanwhile were carried aboard by another portion
of the workpeople, and the whole scene was a dreadfully confused and
disordered one. Women complained, children cried, men swore; the rain
meanwhile actually _flooded_ from the sky, and the women, as well the
Hehrmanns as the other families, could only be got up the steep bank of
the shore with considerable trouble, where they perceived, by the glare
of a pine-torch, a solitary small and low house, the door of which was
open, while in the chimney there burned a slightly glimmering fire.
The owner of the house and of the cordwood accompanied them as far as
the entrance, and made signs for them to enter. But Siebert, who had
previously exchanged a few words with him, whispered, as the latter
turned away, "Don't crowd too near the bed; the wife of our host lies
there; she died about an hour since!"
There was something so awfully quiet in the words, that Pastor Hehrmann
looked round terrified after the American; but he went quietly down to
the steamer to receive the price for his wood. There the captain, out of
particular civility, had caused an old tarpaulin to be spread over the
goods which had been tumbled ashore, and which covering he intended to
fetch away on his upward journey: Siebert, however, quickly bought it of
him for five dollars, for he now saw how necessary it would be for their
use, and then followed the rest into the shanty. All could not have
found space in this, even had the dread of the corpse not driven the
greater part of them into the most distant part of the room;
fortunately, however, there was also a so-called kitchen, or
smoking-house, behind the dwelling, and here a great number of the
settlers were billetted, at least for the night. Oh, how anxiously all
waited the morrow.
It was a fearful night; the storm roared round the house, so that the
weak boarding which formed the roof clappered and tumbled, and here and
there the rain poured through in streams. The mosquitoes appeared
insatiable, and swarmed round the poor tortured ones in an almost
unbearable manner. The little children, in particular, alarmed by the
novelty of all that surrounded them, would not be quieted, and by their
cries increased the strangeness, the unearthliness of their situation;
and before them all, still and motionless, careless of mosquitoes, or of
any other disturbance, the young woodsman sat beside the bed of his dead
wife, which was hung over with a thin mosquito curtain.
Silently he stared into the now bright flaming fire in the chimney, and
his left hand all the night through clasped the hand of the corpse. The
elder Siebert, it is true, once tried to approach him and to offer
consolation, but the unhappy man merely made a sign to him to leave him
alone, and stared uninterruptedly into the fire on the hearth. He was
beside his wife, and seemed not to remark the presence of the many
strangers.
Pastor Hehrmann, seated at the head of the bed where the corpse lay, had
collected his family around him, and had spread his large, wide cloak
over them, to defend them as well from the annoying insects as from the
single drops of rain which penetrated. But, comforting all in their
unpleasant position, he concluded a simple but touching prayer, which he
spoke aloud, with the words, "May the Almighty make our departure as
glad and as happy as our arrival is inauspicious and melancholy."
A loud hearty 'Amen' from every lip replied to this, and then deep
silence reigned throughout the house of affliction.
FOOTNOTES:
[5] Fences, in America, are formed of poles of wood, split lengthwise,
which ordinarily surround the fields in a zig-zag form, and are intended
to preserve the grain from the cattle, which run about freely. In the
West, where there is wood in abundance, this arrangement is universal;
but in the East, and particularly in the vicinity of towns, they are
beginning to raise quickset hedges, or at least to apply the wood in the
most economical way, so as to make as little wood as possible surround a
great space.--_Note by the Author._
Many old countrymen, upon their first arrival in America, are disgusted
with the rail fences, and talk about the quickset hedges which they will
have upon their land; but it all ends in talk. Wood is adopted for
fences in America, as well because of its abundance as because the white
and black thorns, used in quickset hedges in England, although they
grow, yet do not generally thrive there; besides, the planting, filling
up gaps, pruning, ditching, &c., requires much labour, and that is
expensive there. Cattle, also, are so used to the bush, that they would
make no difficulty of walking through a quickset hedge, unless it were
many years old, and well made. Every man can swing the axe there, and
most of their woods grow tall in the stem, without knots or branches,
for fifty feet or so, and split readily, sometimes even without the
wedge. They therefore cut trees, such as ash, oak, elm, birch, and (for
the lower rails, to resist the effects of wet) cedar, into twelve or
sixteen feet lengths, and then split them, either with the axe alone, or
with the assistance of a mall and wedges, into rails of a convenient
thickness. These are laid upon the surface of the ground in zig-zag, as
mentioned by the author, each overlapping the other by six inches or so,
and so on to the height of from six to twelve feet, and, in well-made
fences, stakes are also driven firmly into the ground, near the places
where the rails meet, one inside and one outside of the fence, at an
inclination towards it, their points meeting and crossing each other at
the junction of the top rails, and forming, by such crossing, a
receptacle for a heavy rail or rider, as it is called, which tops it
all, and serves to give the whole stability; thus all nails and
iron-work, which are expensive, or wooden pegs, which would require
labour, are dispensed with, and a fence is obtained, having nearly the
strength of a brick wall, and capable of restraining cattle. Fences
without stakes and riders are also used, especially for temporary
purposes, supporting themselves by the zig-zag ground-plan and their own
weight, but are liable to be invaded by a breachy ox, and are also more
liable to be put out of their position. An ox is, in America, termed
"breachy" when he has learned to lift the rails off with his horns,
which he does by the ends one after another, like any Christian, until
it is low enough for him to step over; but if properly staked and
ridered he cannot do so. Such oxen are not very common, but never can be
cured of the habit, and however well they may work in the yoke, have to
be fattened and killed forthwith. When the two or three lower rails, and
also the stakes, are of wood, capable of resisting the effect of damp,
such as cedar, black ash, &c., a well-made fence will last for an
indefinite number of years, but otherwise seven or eight years suffice
to rot the lower rails, and to make constant patching necessary, which
is almost as bad as making a new fence, for, to get at one of the lower
rails, the fence has to be taken down for many lengths on each side, and
never can be relaid so well. In the Canadas, and the Northwestern states
of the Union, the ground, during winter, is covered with snow, for a
distance of ten degrees and more south of corresponding latitudes in the
Old World, and this is the season when the timber is easily got out of
the bush, or of the swamps, into the clearings, either on low sleighs,
or by being snagged--that is, dragged out by oxen and a logging
chain.--TR.
[6] It is not customary for shoemakers in Germany to keep a large stock
of shoes; those in the text, of course, were not all made by the seller,
but probably in New England, where there are whole towns where nothing
else is done. The wooden pegs would surprise an English shoemaker as
much as they did the German.--TR.
[7] A brass bason is the German barber's sign--TR.
[8] Munich is celebrated throughout Germany for the goodness of its
beer.--TR.
CHAPTER IV.
THE SETTLEMENT.
He who awaits the coming morning in a warm, soft bed, in a well-built
house, cares little whether it rains and storms without, or whether the
sun darts his first rays in a clear blue sky. Perhaps he wraps himself
only the more comfortably in his covering, and turns once more for a
short morning nap, when the rain beats cold and loud against the
window-panes, and the wind whistles madly in chimneys and key-holes,
shakes down the soot in the rocking fire-places, turns the rusty old
weathercocks, scraping and creaking, backwards and forwards, and howls
up and down the streets in wild unfettered play.
But, on the other hand, how anxiously does the invalid on his sick bed,
or the poor wanderer, who has had to pitch his roofless, unprotected
encampment under the trees of the forest, amidst storm and tempest, look
forward to the lingering, lingering dawn of morning! how many times does
he turn his eyes on near objects, and gaze searchingly round, to see if
he cannot discover a somewhat lighter reflection, a more distinct
perception of the surrounding place, which may announce the breaking
morning, and promise him at least light, with which he may hope for some
alleviation of his torment, or some amendment of his unbearable
position!
How ardently, how eagerly, was this morning longed for by the settlers,
who, scarcely conscious where they were, many of them just awakened from
a deep sleep, had been turned out, in storm, and rain, and pitchy
darkness, into the wild, rustling forest, with scarcely a roof for
shelter, and who could not even reconnoitre the place where they were,
which, but sparingly lighted by the embers on the hearth at first, was
now shrouded in impenetrable darkness.
Add to this, the consciousness of having a human corpse in the room, and
of the presence of the still, motionless figure of the young man, who,
so long as he sat by the bed-side of his wife, had betrayed no more sign
of life than did the dead body by whose side he watched, and whose hand
he probably was still, as before, holding in his own.
At last, at last, the first faint glimmer of dawn broke through the
cracks of the hut; the grey firmament, so far as the narrow clearing of
the wood allowed it to be seen, showed itself lighter and lighter, and
the wet foliage rustled and shook more loudly and violently to the
morning salute of passing gusts of wind.
Wild, strange, unearthly sounds were heard, at the same time, from
without, so that the women started with fright, and huddled closer
together, in order, united, to meet with more heart the terrors, which
appeared the more awful because they could neither assign to them form
or shape.
With the dawn, too, the mosquitoes became unbearable; they attacked in
swarms the unfortunate strangers, whose sweet blood appeared to be
particularly palatable to them,[9] and no handkerchief wrapped round, no
mantle, no veil, could any longer protect them from their innumerable
and painful stings; for they searched about, and did not rest, until,
somewhere or other on the body they found an unprotected spot, into
which they might bury their insatiable little trunks.
It now became lighter and lighter[10] in the little space, and every
moment they recognised more distinctly the details of their anything but
pleasant environs.
So this was a log-house! Wind and weather found free access on all
sides,[11] and even the roof, to which they could look up unimpeded by
any ceiling, allowed the rain, which beat down in wild, stormy streams,
to come through in large drops. As to household utensils, the dwelling
scarcely contained any; at least, none which they could distinguish in
the dawning light. The bed, covered with the white mosquito curtains,
and supporting the corpse, beside which the young woodsman still sat,
silent and motionless, and some rough seats, on which a portion of the
settlers had placed themselves, were the only furniture of the forest
home.
The settlers had, meanwhile, passed the long melancholy hours in very
various and strange groups and positions. It must doubtless have been
most difficult for the members of Hehrmann's family to bear their
hardships without a complaint, without a murmur; for, accustomed from
childhood to the pleasant conveniences of life, and hitherto withdrawn
from the discomforts to which others had been exposed during the whole
voyage, they had no idea, except from the first few nights in the
steerage, of such a situation or such sufferings. Quietly and
uncomplainingly the tender beings clung to the husband and the father,
who folded them in his arms, and tried to protect them with his cloak
from cold, and wet, and mosquitoes.
The rest of the Committee were equally ill lodged; but the men, by a
sort of instinct, had cowered down in the chimney-corner, packed as
close together as possible, in order to leave no more of their persons
exposed to the attacks of the little blood-thirsty enemies which in
myriads surrounded them than they were able to defend. The brewer, the
shoemaker, the tailor, and Schmidt, as well as a troop of Oldenburghers,
and several other groups, composed of Brunswickers and Alsatians, did
precisely the same, so that afterwards, when the unpleasant part of the
business was past and forgotten, and the settlers remembered the comic
side of that night only, Becher was wont to say that the whole company
was divided into so many heaps of rats.
Suddenly there was heard without, seemingly quite close to the house, a
strange, wild, unearthly noise, rather a howl than a cry--and it sounded
so plaintive and awful, like the cry for help of one that was perishing,
and then again like the mocking laugh of a maniac, that the trembling
girls pressed closer to their father, and many an otherwise brave man,
surprised and startled, looked up and listened, with loud beatings of
the heart, to the constantly wilder sounds.
"I say, brewer!" said the tailor, pushing him in the side, with all his
strength, "what's that?"
"D----n!" swore the latter, who had just dropped off into a doze, and
whom the ungentle application called back again to partial wakefulness
and suffering--for the two, at present, seemed inseparable--"leave me
alone; what should it be!--the watchman!--don't you hear his horn?"[12]
"A fine sort of watchman, that!" said Schmidt. "They don't want a
watchman for these two houses--the people in the streets here are quiet
enough o' nights, I'll be bound!"
"Don't speak so loud!" whispered the shoemaker; "yonder still sits the
American, beside his dead wife. Ugh! but 'tis awful to have a corpse in
the room!"
"Awful!--nonsense!" said the brewer, still half asleep--"not if she lies
still!"
"You be quiet, will you!" whispered, fearfully, the tailor; "if he over
there hears you, he might take it ill."
"How is he to understand German?" replied the other. "But whatever it
may be, it's howling on the other side of the house now. A bear, I dare
say!"
"Oh! don't go frightening a fellow so!" exclaimed the tailor, half
angry, half frightened. "It's bad enough as we are; it only wants that
to make it complete. Oh, geminy! these gnats!"
"There never were such gnats as these before," said Schmidt; "and I
think the whole kit must have come across to us."
"Oh, no! the Oldenburghers, over yonder, seem to have got a few, too,"
grinned the shoemaker, maliciously. "One of 'em keeps hitting himself
_such_ raps on the face--his nose will be black and blue to-morrow!"
"I'm getting hungry," yawningly said the brewer, who now began to wake
up by degrees. "Is it raining still?"
"No; it has ceased raining," said the shoemaker; "but if the little town
here is no better paved than the landing-place, good luck to our shoes!
there will be work! Whoever has not got bull-hide straps to keep 'em on,
will lose them in the mud!"
"Town!" asked the brewer, who had been round the little clearing. "Town!
there's no town here, shoemaker--it must be higher up. I wish I could
get something to eat!--I'm very hungry, that's a fact!"
"The howling has taken away all my appetite," whimpered the tailor;
"blown it completely away, as it were. However, I shouldn't mind a cup
of coffee."
"I should like to know where we are to get coffee from here," said
Schmidt; "and if we had any, we couldn't drink it out of our hats; I see
no cups."
"Well, then, we could unpack some," said the tailor; "but hush! the man
there is moving," he continued, in a low whisper, as the woodsman,
rising from his seat, drew back the mosquito net, which had hitherto
covered the corpse of his wife.
On a poor-looking mattress, stuffed with moss, lay the body of the young
and beautiful American; a plain white calico dress covered her limbs,
and her long flowing chestnut hair clung around the pale sunken features
of her noble face. The eyes were closed, and on the lids there lay two
pieces of silver coin to keep them down. The right hand rested upon the
heart, the left lay beside her; she seemed to have fallen asleep gently,
and without pain; angelic peace was depicted on her pure and beautiful
features.
The young man gazed long and silently upon her, and he watched, as if in
a dream, scarcely conscious that he did so, the individual mosquitoes
which flew in through the now opened net, expecting a new meal. He
noticed how they alighted upon the dear face of his wife, as though they
expected to find blood in the dry veins of the corpse, until he himself
gazed upon the creatures with stifled breath. It came over him that his
Maria--his all in this world--could not be dead, and he expected to see
the little blood-suckers swell as they drew in her warm life-juices; but
scarcely had they bored their slight and pointed stings through the
skin, and appeared to have made the first attempt, before they quickly
and tremblingly, with evident signs of fear and alarm, endeavoured to
free their little trunks, flew quickly away, and in confused haste
sought in vain for the opening by which they had entered.
With a deep sigh the unhappy man let his arm fall, and turned silently
away; it was then that his eyes met those of Pastor Hehrmann, who had
risen in order to offer words of consolation and of courage to the
sufferer. As he was endeavouring to call to mind the little English
which he knew, and was making several pauses in speaking, from lack of
words to express himself; the other made a sign to him with his hand,
and said, in good and pure German, but with averted face--
"I am a German, Sir; I understand your language."
"A German! and alone in this neighbourhood?" asked Hehrmann, surprised;
"have you been long, then, in such melancholy circumstances?"
"You shall hear all that when I have buried my wife.--Will you help me?"
"Such is not only my wish, but my duty also," said the clergyman,
kindly. "But, my dear Sir," he continued, somewhat shyly and almost
timidly, "do you live really quite alone in this spot? and is this house
situate at the mouth of the Big Halchee?"
"Yes," said the woodman; "the nearest house is three miles below; just
such another as this, and only built for the same purpose, cordwood
chopping, for sale to the passing steamers."
"And there is no town hereabouts?"
"No," was the short, half-whispered answer.
"And further up the Big Halchee--are there no settlements there?"
The man no longer seemed to hear him; his eye again hung upon the pale
countenance of his wife, and he resumed his seat beside her, no longer
conscious of what was passing around him.
Pastor Hehrmann did not venture to disturb him again, and the men stared
inactively upon the silent suffering figure without knowing what to do,
afraid, on the one hand, of disturbing the mourning of the house,
anxious, on the other, not to lose time, so valuable to them, in order
to reach, at last, the spot which was to be their new home.
It was one of the women who first plucked up resolution,--the usually so
bashful and retiring Bertha. She advanced to the hearth, blew the almost
extinct embers into a livelier glow,[13] piled upon the flame such logs
of wood as she could find lying round the house, and fetched out some
pots and pans which appeared to have been neglected for many days, in
order, not only to get ready a wholesome warm meal for the settlers
themselves, but for the owner of the house, who, judging from his
appearance, had probably not taken any nourishment for several days
past.
An example only had been wanting, and greater activity now prevailed on
all hands. The women got to work, and some assisted Bertha, while others
carried wood and live embers over to the other house, to light a fire
there also, and to prepare breakfast simultaneously at both places, for
the by no means insignificant number of persons.
Herbold and Becher, who were appointed to the commissariat department,
meanwhile went down to the margin of the river, where their chests and
other stores, for the most part, were still standing, and gave out the
necessary provisions, whilst the elder Siebert, accompanied by his
brother and two of the Oldenburghers, looked about the homestead for
mattocks and spades, in order to dig a grave for the corpse, but nothing
of the kind could be found about the place, and they were compelled to
have recourse to their own tool-chest. But the mattocks were at the very
bottom of the chest, and had no handles. One of the Oldenburghers
fortunately recollected having seen two pickaxes inside the house, and
went back to fetch them, when the eye of the young widower fell upon
them, and he soon guessed for what purpose they were wanted.
He quickly arose, beckoned the people to follow him, and led them about
three hundred yards into the woods, where, in olden times, probably
even before the Indians, a simple mound of earth, about ten or twelve
feet in height, had been raised. There he begged them to begin their
work.
Among the settlers were three carpenters and several cabinet makers, and
they proceeded to work together, to construct a coffin, rough, it is
true, but still adequate to its purpose, using chiefly the planks of a
boat, which they found there ashore and burst. As they were well
provided with tools, in less than an hour the last and narrow house
stood ready for the reception of its tenant.
The young farmer, whose name, as they subsequently learnt, was Wolfgang,
now returned, and the women having prepared breakfast, the rain having
ceased, and a sandy place between the hut and the shore being dry, it
was spread out there upon chests, and ingeniously-contrived stands.
They had to press the mourner repeatedly before they could induce him to
eat a few morsels, and to drink a cup of warm coffee, although, during
three days past, no food had crossed his lips; he then went into the
house to the corpse of his wife, and wrapped it in the sheet whereon she
had been lying, and which was now to be her winding-sheet.
Our four-leaved clover had meanwhile taken little part in the burial
preparations, and, after their meal, were just about to stroll slowly
off to look a little at the neighbourhood. But their little excursion
was destined to be interrupted, for Mr. Becher, who appeared to adapt
himself most readily to circumstances, however new to him, and who
perceived that continued delay in this place would only tend to tire and
to dispirit the emigrants, called together all the able-bodied who had
hitherto been unemployed, to put together the two carts which they had
brought with them, and to load them with the things which were most
indispensable for the present.
Schmidt, as a farmer, and a wheelwright from Brunswick territory,
performed the most effective services at this task, and in a short time
the conveyances were ready for departure. One trifle, certainly, was
still wanting, namely, cattle to draw them, and it was not until all was
finished, and ready to move on, that the good folks thought of this
deficiency.
It is true that neither horses nor other cattle could be seen about the
place, but Mr. Becher did not doubt but that the farmer would find some;
for the wood, piled up in considerable quantities on the beach, proved
clearly enough that more than human strength had been required to get it
all to the margin of the stream. But for the moment there appeared no
prospect of being able to induce the man, who was engaged in paying the
last duties to his wife, to fetch horses or oxen, whichever he might
possess, and all further work had to be suspended until the conclusion
of that melancholy duty.
Becher himself therefore began to examine the soil and surface upon
which they now found themselves, more minutely, and the four allies,
with two Oldenburghers and the wheelwright, now wandered along the
margin of the Mississippi and looked at the surrounding landscape, as
well as at the farm which had received them on their entrance upon their
new mode of life with such melancholy and unpropitious omens.
The tailor went ahead upon the narrow footpath which led along the bank
of the Mississippi; Becher and Schmidt followed; then came the shoemaker
and the brewer, and the Oldenburghers brought up the rear. They had
scarcely marched 200 yards in this order before they came to the banks
of a muddy brook with a rather wide bed, but which now appeared nearly
dried up, and poured its muddy water in a narrow thread only into the
Mississippi. Near its mouth several immense cotton-wood and cypress
trees lay, wildly thrown together, forming a kind of natural bridge,
whilst some broken branches and stems stuck in the mud of the brook in
all directions, and appeared sufficient of themselves to prevent
navigation, even with a light boat.
Nearly all the stems which projected out of the turbid water were
closely covered with small soft-shelled mud-turtles, which, when they
perceived the approaching men on the bank above them, quickly flapped
head foremost into the water again.
"A beautiful neighbourhood," said the tailor, stopping at the extreme
verge of the bank, and pointing to the scene before them--"a very
beautiful neighbourhood; and for this we have travelled, Heaven knows
how many hundred miles, to take a summer lodging here! Well, I must say
Dr. Normann shows remarkable taste; I really admire it."
His companions, thus brought to a halt, also stared round them, though
in silence, and the wild and dreadful desolation and loneliness of the
scene probably excited no very pleasurable feelings in them, for,
avoiding each other's eyes, during several minutes they gazed upon the
wild boundless landscape of swamp and water. Becher, however, looked
shyly, sidelong, at the men who had accompanied him, and suddenly began
to whistle a waltz with all his might.
The tailor turned round, surprised, towards him, and said, "Yes, a nice
time for whistling!"
The wide expanse spread out before them was by no means calculated to
produce an agreeable impression on new comers, particularly upon such as
had not been accustomed to a flat country. On their left the muddy flood
of the mighty Mississippi rolled rapidly and maliciously by, whilst,
from the opposite side of the little brook, beside which they were
standing, a sand-bank stretched out in smooth, monotonous, evenness,
farther and farther still, into the stream, until, in the grey distance,
where the latter took a mighty sweep to the right, it seemed to connect
itself with the opposite shore, and to absorb the enormous mass of
waters. The other side of the Mississippi also presented to the view a
flat landscape of deep forest and swamp, uninterrupted by a single hill.
The vegetation was certainly grand, and these gigantic stems, which
rose, smooth and faultless, to a height which they had never before
contemplated, produced a strange, almost uneasy impression upon the
wanderers; then again the wild vines and creepers which wound themselves
from stem to stem, the wild and desert-looking fallen masses of wood,
often half rotten, the enormous withered trunks, which here and there,
as if stifled by the creeping plants, madly stretched their naked giant
arms towards heaven, as if supplicating help, gave the whole such a
gloomy, forbidding aspect, that the little tailor, after a minute's
pause of astonishment, drew a long breath, as though he would have
removed something from his heart; at last he turned round to his friends
and fellow-travellers behind him, and said--
"Well, I had imagined the thing quite different from this; for if----"
To the boundless astonishment of the rest, the tailor had all at once
disappeared; but before they had time to advance a step, they already
heard, down below, in slime and water, a crying and splashing, which
proceeded from their unfortunate comrade, who now, when at last he got
firm footing, cried out lustily for help; for he could not comprehend
where he was, how he had got there, and whether he had reached the end
of his career, or was destined to proceed further and further downwards.
"Hallo, below there!" cried Becher, who soon ascertained that the tailor
had received no injury, and that there was no further danger--"Hallo,
there! is it a good soil? to what depth is it arable?"
"Help! help!" cried the little one, who was in no humour for
joking--"Help! help! I am drowning! I can't swim! I must drown!"
Close to him, not three yards off, there was a young cypress tree which
had fallen into the brook, and Becher now called to him to reach one of
its branches until they could fetch a rope from the house and draw him
up.
Meier, however, seemed noways inclined to take a step towards his own
safety; fear had almost deprived him of his senses, and he continued to
cry, "Help! help! I'm drowning! I can't swim!"
The houses were not very distant, and several of the women, who had
heard the cries for help, hastened towards them, whilst the shoemaker
ran, as fast as his legs would carry him, back to the landing place, to
bring the necessary ropes from thence. But even then the most pressing
requests and explanations were required to make the little man
understand how he was to wind the rope round his body and fasten it; his
whole presence of mind had forsaken him, and he considered himself lost
beyond salvation.
At last he so far recovered his senses as to be able to tie a knot, and
by their united strength (for the mud in which he stuck was tough) he
was, after long pulling, and amidst the laughter of the women, brought
to light. No sooner, however, did he feel himself on terra-firma again,
than he doubled himself up, and swore hard and fast that a tremendous
great snake had bitten him in the foot, and that he should die a
lingering, miserable death.
They had a good deal of trouble to convince him of the contrary, but
ultimately he felt that he was safe and sound, and turned back with the
others to the laden carts, thenceforward, however, he could not be
prevailed upon to come within fifty yards of the steep banks of either
river or brook.
The sun was tolerably high in the heavens before the remainder of the
settlers returned from the burial of the young American woman; about the
same time the wood cart belonging to Wolfgang arrived, drawn by two
powerful oxen, beside which walked a negro boy about twelve years old,
with a very long whip, who drove forward the cattle, which were in a
wooden yoke, as well by blows as by words. He stared with surprise on
finding so numerous and unexpected a company assembled in so quiet a
spot as that generally was.
The burial of his wife appeared to have restored all his former energy
and power to the young German, and he was even ready to assist the
strangers with council and deed, when Pastor Hehrmann had hastily made
him acquainted with their immediate plan of settling not far from him,
as well as with their wish to reach their destination as soon as
possible. First of all he directed the negro boy to blow a horn,[14]
which was in the house, to call in the other labourer, who was still at
work in the woods, and then to put the oxen to the settlers' laden cart.
But here a new difficulty presented itself; this was the only yoke of
working oxen which the German possessed, and he informed them that their
road lay through a swamp, which would be so muddy and bad to get
through, after the recent rains, that but a very light load could be
taken.
"But would it not be possible to forward the cargo much more easily and
quickly to its destination by the Big Halchee?" said Pastor Hehrmann; "a
couple of stout rowers----"
"Would be easily able to execute the task," interrupted Wolfgang, "if
they had water enough for navigation; the Big Halchee is not navigable
at present."
"Is it far from here?" asked Becher.
"That gentleman can tell you the precise distance," said the farmer,
pointing to Meier, the story of whose misfortunes he had just heard; "he
was in it."
"What, is that the Big Halchee?" asked Becher and Siebert, startled.
"That is the Big Halchee," repeated the farmer, nodding; "but why do you
ask? had you imagined it more agreeable, or larger?"
"Certainly," said Herbold, dispirited; "we heard that it was navigable,
and that there was a small town at its mouth."
"According to American notions," replied the young farmer, a slight
smile passing over his pale features, "both assertions might be
maintained. It is navigable in spring, that is to say, down stream, for
you cannot make way against the current when the water is high."
"But the town," asked Pastor Hehrmann, in surprise--"you don't mean to
call your solitary house a town?"
"If you were to travel through the United States," said Wolfgang, "you
might meet with many not more considerable towns than this, and with
much more sounding names; but the place here is not called a town; it
was only proposed to build Halchee Town here, and some speculators
planned out the streets. You may still see the trees marked out in the
woods; the Mississippi rose suddenly just then, washed away the little
huts which they had erected here; one of the land-dealers was drowned,
too, I think, and the thing was dropped."
"But are you not afraid that such a flood may reach you some time or
other, and sweep you away with it?" asked Hehrmann, with signs of alarm.
"Certainly, that is by no means impossible; and next year is a leap
year,[15] too, when the Mississippi regularly overflows its banks,
sometimes more, sometimes less, and I was thinking of removing across to
Arkansas, or down to Mississippi; but now," he continued, in a low
voice, while two large bright tears came into his eyes,--"now I shall
remain here; if the flood should really rise--well--I have nothing more
to lose."
"But, tell me, my dear Mr. Wolfgang," Hehrmann asked in terror, "are all
the dwellings along the river exposed to these dreadful dangers?--When
that mighty stream once overflows its banks, such a mass of water must
be irresistible."
"Do you see these marks?" Wolfgang asked, pointing to some faint,
scarce distinguishable, light spots, which might be made out about eight
feet from the ground, upon the bark of the trees under which they stood.
"Do you see these marks? thus high the water rose last spring; my house,
it is true, lies higher than this, yet it came into our room, and it
carried off about thirty cords of wood with it."
"And you remained here?"
"What will not one do to earn money? The steamers use much wood, and pay
tolerably well; I wanted to lay by enough to buy a little farm by and by
in a wholesome district; now my wife is dead, and I----But let us start;
it is getting late."
"But you are not going to leave your house now to accompany us?" asked
Siebert, surprised; "suppose in the meanwhile----"
"My other negro will remain here," Wolfgang interrupted him. "Sam, the
old fellow whom you see coming yonder, is faithful and honest; I can
rely upon him; besides, you would hardly reach your destination without
a guide, so that there is no choice."
"Oh, we might follow the road, you know," said Becher.
"Yes, if there were a road thither," answered the farmer, "but to the
spot which you have described to me there leads no road, and if there
are really houses there, the place must be very much overgrown with
second-growth brush, otherwise I must have come upon them in some of my
hunting expeditions; perhaps it is the place which the hunters call the
dead clearing."
"Have you much game in this neighbourhood?" asked Von Schwanthal, who
appeared much interested in this subject.
"Pretty well," replied the farmer, "but it is difficult to get at; the
woods are too close, and the game itself is shy; it requires a practised
hunter to track and kill a deer."
"Do you happen to know a certain Dr. Normann?" Becher now suddenly
inquired, as if struck by a new idea.
"Normann?" said the farmer, trying to recollect, "Normann; no, the name
is strange to me--why?"
"It is the name of the man who sold us this piece of land," said Pastor
Hehrmann; "from all, however, that I have hitherto seen, I scarcely
think that he ever set foot here, and almost dread that Mr. Helldorf's
prophecies will be fulfilled."
"Helldorf?" asked Wolfgang, in his turn, surprised; "Helldorf--where did
you meet with him?"
"In New York," said Siebert; "do you know him?"
"_Do_ I know him!" replied Wolfgang; "I passed my happiest time here in
America, beside him in Arkansas, and had it not been for my mad
endeavour to earn a sum of money, I might have been still with my Maria
at the foot of the pleasant Magazine Hill. Oh! that I had never seen the
Mississippi again."
"Then you consider this climate very unhealthy?"
"Unhealthy!" said the German, in a low, hollow tone--"unhealthy!" he
repeated, even lower still. "In the first year, my wife's sister
died--that ought to have been a warning to me; in the same fall, my
child; to-day we have buried my wife; and next spring, it is to be
hoped, will find me by her side."
"Come with us to the hills, then, where a healthier air blows," said
Herbold; "you can get land from us, and----"
"To the hills?" asked the German, surprised; "how far up the Big Halchee
are you going, then?"
"Well, the land is said to be fifteen miles from the Mississippi," said
Becher; "that's a pretty good distance."
"Yes," replied Wolfgang, "but then, you are still fifteen miles from the
hills, and in no healthier district than this is; on the contrary, you
want the air from the river, which is often fresh; a number of small
lakes, too, cross the country in all directions, and evaporate, for the
most part, in summer, and fill the atmosphere during four months of the
year with their poisonous exhalations. Just now is the most unhealthy
time."
"The devil it is!" said Von Schwanthal; "the worthy doctor never said a
word about that."
"If he was ever in the valley of the Mississippi, he certainly must have
known it," replied the farmer; "but now we'll be off; Scipio has been
cracking his whip for the last quarter of an hour."
The emigrants parted unwillingly from the bulk of their remaining
property, which at first they could scarcely resolve to leave by the
waterside, merely under the superintendence of a negro; but at last they
were convinced that a theft could hardly be committed here, for such a
hut was certainly not a spot in the neighbourhood at which such
valuables would be looked for. The chests and boxes, therefore, which
contained the most necessary articles for the moment, to commence life
in the midst of the woods, were placed on the carts, and even of these
another selection had to be made; then the party set itself in motion,
under the guidance of the farmer, who went first, and with an axe cut
down, where necessary, the underbrush and young trees which stood in
their way, or called into requisition the united strength of the men, to
drag aside obstructions in the shape of occasional mighty trunks of
fallen, rotten or half rotten trees, and thus made way for the wagon,
which fortunately was narrow across the wheels.
The Germans were not a little nor agreeably surprised, when they
discovered, after scarce an hour's progress, that the broad path which
they had hitherto followed, was a mere track for getting out wood, and
that now they had to shape their course straight through the woods--and
_such_ woods.
Fearful doubts now began to arise, even in the breast of Hehrmann, who
had hitherto considered Dr. Normann an honest man, and it was with some
anxiety that he looked forward to their entrance upon their new landed
property.
While walking beside Wolfgang, he entered into conversation with him,
and soon learnt the story of his simple, although active life.
Wolfgang hastily passed over a dark period in Arkansas, where a
stranger, who was a German too, had sown hatred and discord, and stained
their pleasant clearings with blood; and he related how, far away, up
the Ozark mountains, he had become acquainted with his wife; had fallen
in love with her, and whilst still a young girl married her; had founded
a home in the midst of the wild woods, and lived happily, until, driven
by the desire for ready money, which was not to be had at all there, he
had quitted the healthy hill air to come down into the poisonous swamps.
He concluded his story (which Mr. Hehrmann listened to with bowed head
and sorrowfully throbbing heart) by saying, "Mr. Hehrmann, you now, with
wife and child, come from a healthy, cool climate, in the middle of
summer, into the swampy atmosphere of this river, therefore _beware_. If
wife and children are dear to you, commence your American farmer's life
in some other district. You have yet the choice; this whole enormous
country is yet open to you; all the northern, healthy states, Missouri,
Iowa, Wisconsin, even the northern hilly part of Arkansas, if you are
desirous of choosing a milder climate; forsake these poison-impregnated
swamps, where a German, unless already acclimatized, cannot exist, or at
all events cannot remain in health; I speak from experience."
"Mr. Helldorf said so too," replied the preacher, thoughtfully.
"Mr. Helldorf knows the country," said Wolfgang, "he has wandered
through it many a long year, and whatever he may have told you is true,
you may rely upon it. As to your Dr. Normann, I certainly don't know the
good man, and will therefore say no ill of him, but here in America
there is such a host of land-speculators, particularly in the seaport
towns, that the emigrant cannot be too cautious; I am almost afraid
that you have fallen into the hands of such a one, and if so, why of
course you must try to make the best of a bad bargain."
"I say," remarked the shoemaker to the tailor, stumbling for the fourth
time over a projecting root, and this time really hurting himself, "if I
had any capital invested in this speculation, I should quietly begin to
tear my hair out by the roots, but as it is, I can look on, and I must
confess that I am curious to know how it will end."
"Well, look after your feet, at all events," said the other, as the
shoemaker tripped again. "You do nothing but stumble. No; shares are
beginning to fall, so far I am of your opinion; but what matters; _I_
shall eat my way through; I've no fear of that; and if M. Von Schwanthal
only shoots as much game as he has promised, and we get meat, and such
meat, too, three times a day, I don't mind about this little mud
excursion. Moreover, I've been on the look-out for some time past after
a deer; it's strange that, in such a forest as this, the game should not
be running about more plentifully. But, shoemaker, did you imagine the
river on which our town was to be built, like what it really is?"
"How? what is it really? it does not exist at all. Call _that_ a river!"
"Well, what I mean is, did you imagine it like what it is?"
"I don't exactly know," said the shoemaker, with a sly laugh at the
tailor, "I have not examined it so narrowly as you have, you know; you
have a _well-grounded_ acquaintance with it."
"A fine subject for joking, to be sure," said the little one,
indignantly; "suppose I had been drowned?"
"If we creep along in this style," said Schmidt, who now joined in the
conversation, "we shall certainly not come to our journey's end to-day;
we don't advance a hundred yards straight forward, before some tree or
other has to be cut down to make room for the wagon. Are there no
foresters[16] here, I wonder?"
"Yes, a nice place this for foresters," said the brewer; "foresters in
_this_ wood! But if we don't soon reach some place where one may get
something to drink, I shall get thirsty. What do you call all the towns,
then, that are said to be in this neighbourhood? Deuce take it; where
there are so many towns, there must surely be some village or other to
be met with."
The worthy brewer was not aware, that in the United States of North
America everything, even a group of two or three houses only, is called
a town. A grand name, some ancient Greek or Roman one if possible,
throws sand into the eyes of foreigners, and the land speculators in the
large towns often sell "lots," as they call them, to emigrants, who
expect to find a lively, animated place, and instead, have to be
thankful if they can meet with anybody at all there to supply them with
bread to begin with.
The women had meanwhile reconciled themselves to their wanderings as
well as they could, and only one of them, a young girl, who was sick,
and unable to walk, had been, on that account, placed upon the wagon,
where, upon some spread-out mattresses between the well-secured chests,
she had a sufficiently convenient, although not very quiet place, for
the wagon, owing to the rough uneven road, tumbled about dreadfully. The
Hehrmanns went foremost, and evidently struggled to let no melancholy
humour be seen, although the tough mud which they had to wade through,
and the innumerable stringy, and sometimes prickly, creeping plants,
which entangled their feet, while the thorns penetrated their stockings,
and tore their ancles and insteps till they bled, made walking as
troublesome and unpleasant as well could be.
Thus they wandered and wandered on, until the sun went down below the
tree tops, for fortunately he had driven away the clouds of rain, and
the heaven extended its blue tent, brightly and clearly, over the
travellers; but the close oppressive heat, on the other hand, operated
yet more unfavourably upon them, because no good water was to be had,
wherewith to quench their burning thirst. The wished-for fresher evening
air at last cooled their heated faces, although the mosquitoes, which
had lain concealed during the glowing heat, now re-appeared with fresh
vigour. Yet they cared less for these than for the burning rays of the
sun, and wandered forward with quickened and more elastic tread. But ere
long, their silent leader intimated to them that they must bivouack
where they were, for that he could not trust himself to keep a straight
course after dark, and besides that, to proceed further at night was not
only extremely wearisome, but even dangerous.
This was bearable enough in the mild summer air, and all of the party
were easily and readily reconciled to it; the coverings which they had
brought with them were therefore stretched out to keep the dew from the
women, and soft beds of leaves were collected to make the first night in
the woods as pleasant as possible; and the men also laid themselves down
beside the fires which Wolfgang had lighted, whilst the provisions which
they had taken with them stewed and roasted at the crackling flames.
And now again, fortunately, at a great distance, at first, the awful
sounds were heard which had filled the settlers with such terror on the
previous evening, and they were not a little astonished to learn that
those dreadful notes proceeded from owls--and very insignificant little
owls, too. Von Schwanthal, somewhat later, tried to shoot one; but
although several of them, attracted by the fire, approached them, and
gave out their monotonous horrid song in the tree tops close above them,
yet the foliage was too close to permit the eye of the marksman to
perceive them in the darkness, and he discharged both barrels in the
direction in which he guessed the noisy nocturnal bird to be--to the
great terror of the female portion of the society, the tailor
included--without, however, even interrupting the bird, much less
driving it away.
Fortunately, the night remained dry, although the sky became overcast
again, otherwise the situation of the poor Germans, unaccustomed to such
privations, would have been a melancholy one. As it was, sleep visited
the closed eyelids of the wearied at intervals only, for the strange
noises which surrounded them on all sides, the dreary rustling of the
gigantic trees, and even occasionally the stealthy, cautious footstep of
some deer or wolf, that slunk round the bivouack, and only scented its
enemies when it got to the leeward side, and then fled in hasty
bounds--these kept them in continual excitement.
At last, morning came. The oxen, which had remained yoked during the
night, were put-to once more; the quickly-prepared breakfast was
despatched, and the caravan moved on again, sometimes painfully, through
little muddy brooks and standing pools; sometimes going round a wild and
dreary looking lake, without defined banks; sometimes forcing their way
through reed-brakes, sometimes through closely-tangled creepers, until
at last Hehrmann, who, according to his calculation, had traversed a
distance of twenty-five, instead of fifteen miles, addressed the guide,
and inquired whether he did not think that he might have lost his way,
for that it was impossible they could be far from the designated spot,
if they had really constantly kept the true course.
"Oh, we have followed that," replied Wolfgang; "moreover, the frequent
turning aside to avoid wet and impenetrable places has much prolonged
our journey; but if my senses do not deceive me, we are now at the very
place."
"On the right road, you mean," said Siebert, senior, who had likewise
approached them, and now looked about him, right and left, apparently
in search of some outlet by which they might avoid a thick copse,
closely overgrown with young timber, which lay right before them, and
which, on account of the many creeping plants and underbrush, was
impenetrable.
"No; at the very spot itself!" said Wolfgang, observing the place
attentively. "Do you see yonder tree, which has been felled in by-gone
times?" he continued, addressing the men, who pressed round him. "The
lower part is wanting--it has been used for rails; and yonder--yes, it's
a fact, I am not mistaken!--yonder stood the fence. Look you, here are
some single, half-rotten portions of it."
"But the field!" said Becher, alarmed.
"Was this thicket," replied the German, "now, it is true, a chaos of
woods and underbrush. The land, for that matter, seems very good!"
"But we were to find land fit for the plough!" exclaimed Herbold,
advancing, in real alarm. "You don't mean to tell us that this
wilderness is the fifteen-acre field!"
"I have never been here before," replied Wolfgang, quietly, "and must
therefore examine the place first. But if your land has not been
cultivated for fifteen years, you may rely, in case this really should
not be it, that it will hardly look better than that which lies before
you! But we will hope for the best! Look you, a road has once led
through here, this tree has formerly been blazed, although the bark has
almost grown together again. It will be best to leave the wagon with the
women behind us, and go round this wilderness, first of all; if we can't
find the houses, we may come upon the section line--for according to
your deed the land has really been surveyed--then we shall know directly
where we are and what we are about."
"I doubt that!" said the shoemaker, to Schmidt. "One tree looks to me
just like another, here; and if I were called upon, at this moment, to
say from which direction we came here, I should have to guess!"
"Well, I must admit, too," said Schmidt, "that so long as the roads
here are in no better condition, so long I shall not wander far from the
rest--for whoever loses himself is done for!"
"Come along!" said the tailor; "there's a house to be searched for!"
"Where is the house, then?" asked the shoemaker, quickly.
"Well, that's just what they're searching for!" grinned the tailor.
"Stupid as you are, you must know that!"
"Hark ye," said the shoemaker, savagely, "drop your larks--none of us
are in the humour to listen to your nonsense just now! But let us go
along, too; I should like to know whether our guide has found the right
way!"
Scipio had now to halt with his team; and, in fact, he would not have
been able, without the help of the axe, to advance any further; for
every road and outlet was wildly overgrown, and scarcely passable on
foot, much less with a four-wheeled wagon. Following, therefore, the
course of a small brook which ran in a north-easterly direction towards
the Big Halchee, after a short march, keeping to the margin of the
thicket, and, as Wolfgang now positively asserted, former field, they
reached the Big Halchee, and also, close to its soft, friable banks, a
little log hut. However, Wolfgang warned them from entering it; for the
earth round about, as he observed to the by-standers, was cracked, and
the little house was every hour exposed to be precipitated into the
muddy bed of the stream, as, apparently, had happened to the former
appendant and now vanished buildings, of which Pastor Hehrmann was then
thinking.
"But is it not possible," said Becher, despondingly, "that we may be at
the wrong place? You might, perhaps----"
"Yonder tree is the north-east corner of the section," replied Wolfgang,
pointing to an oak standing at no great distance, the greater part of
the rind on one side of which was peeled off, and on which some
roughly-carved numbers and marks were still discernible.
"Then the dwelling-house has fallen down at some earlier time?" said
Siebert, junior.
"There it stands!" replied the farmer. "A better dwelling than that was,
in former times, you seldom meet with in this wild neighbourhood. How
many buildings are specified, then?"
"A dwelling-house, with chimney--a smoking-house--a kitchen--a
stable--and a maize-crib," read Siebert, senior, from his pocket-book,
which he had got out.
"Do you not see that I was right?" said Wolfgang. "Here you have proofs
of my assertion: these are the remains of the former chimney, which now
certainly totters over the precipice, and may crumble and fall next
night. The smoking-house must have gone before, at some earlier time;
and the kitchen too, for I see nothing of them. But the stable is
probably yonder heap of fallen logs; at least, there is no trace of any
chimney there, and the distance of a stable from the house is also about
the right one."
"And the maize-crib?" asked Pastor Hehrmann.
"Probably stood in the field," said Wolfgang. "Doubtless the remains
might be found in yonder thicket; but it would hardly be worth while to
seek for them, for such maize-cribs are easily raised, with split logs,
mostly of ordinary fence-rails, and they generally rot in six or seven
years."
"But, in the name of goodness, what are we to do with the women? Here we
have brought the unfortunate creatures into the midst of the forest,
without a roof or shelter; they cannot bear it."
"Oh yes, though," replied Wolfgang, with a gentle nod of the head, "they
can bear much, very much, and a few nights in the open air is not the
worst that could happen to them. It is fortunate, however, that I came
with you myself," he continued, in a livelier strain; "you might have
fared ill by yourselves, unaccustomed to the country and the climate."
"How far are we from the nearest town?" asked Siebert, senior; "it
would, perhaps, be best, after all, to take them there until we have
erected habitations."
"No," said Wolfgang, decidedly, "that is impossible; first, the place is
more than thirty miles off; then, as I have heard from hunters, there
are several lakes between this and it, before one gets to the hills, and
besides, I don't know the exact direction. But, even if we could reach
the town on a smooth, even road, I would not advise you to leave the
women over there by themselves, for such little towns are for the most
part inhabited by a rough, vicious people, the scum of the backwoods,
and everything is so frightfully dear, that the money which is here so
hardly earned is squandered on the people there. No, we will soon knock
up a few sheds, which will at least keep off wind and rain for awhile;
when that is done, I shall return to my own house, and send the old
negro to you with a portion of your remaining things; he may stay here a
couple of weeks, and put what you require into something like a regular
train."
"But, my dear Mr. Wolfgang, how shall we ever be able to repay your
kindness?"
"Make yourself easy on that score, you have done more for me; I shall
never forget how kindly you buried my poor wife for me. Besides, this is
no more than a neighbour's office; for you will learn, by and by, how
far neighbourhood extends in the woods. However, strictly examined, I am
rather selfish than otherwise; for I must have an occupation to amuse
me, and after all that has occurred, of which you have only witnessed
the tragical end, I should go mad, did I now remain alone and inactive
upon my farm. Therefore, Courage! things will go better. If you were not
here, this would be one of the last places which I should have
recommended to you; but as it is, you are here, and all further delay
and complaint are now useless."
"But to think that we can't even use one of the houses to shelter the
women!" exclaimed Herbold, stamping angrily with his foot. "Plague upon
the stealthy rascal who has deceived and betrayed us under a friendly
face; if I could only catch him."
"Either he has deceived you," said Wolfgang, "or has been himself
deceived; still, you yourselves are chiefly to blame for your
misfortune--to give it its true name. You should not have bought
directly, but should have first seen your bargain. Even in Germany you
would not have purchased an estate without seeing it."
"But, then, the low price!" pleaded Becher.
"You have an answer to that here," replied Wolfgang, "if the land had
been presented to you, it would still have been bought too dearly if it
did not please you, and you had to undertake a long journey to it with
wife and child, with bag and baggage. But it will be a warning to all of
you for the future. Moreover, I recommend you to remain here no longer
than is necessary to get over the first alarm, and to enable you to look
round either in the neighbourhood, or the adjoining states, for a
healthier district; to travel about at random with so many people wont
do at all. You must first find something that will suit you. Until then,
this place is good enough, and when that is done, we will migrate
together, for I, too, must first get my stock of cordwood to the river
side, and there sell it."
"But the houses," repeated Herbold.
"I should not have advised you to have entered them even had they been
standing; snakes and all kinds of vermin take up their abode in such
ruinous old wooden buildings. But to work! I will now give you some
practical lessons in house raising."
"Are you a carpenter?" asked the shoemaker.
"Not exactly, but everything else that is wanted, or rather, that
necessity teaches us, in the woods. But of that hereafter: you will
learn all that yourselves--one single year in America, in the bush,
often does wonders."
"But we must make arrangements for the night," said Pastor Hehrmann; "we
must not allow the women to be exposed to any accidental storm that may
arise--the sky, too, is cloudy."
"Do not fear, my good sir," said Wolfgang; "do you see the roof of
yonder house? Although the planks[17] upon it are for the most part
rotten, yet we shall probably find among them enough to erect a
temporary roof for to-day and to-morrow. We shall get along by-and-by;
first of all we must find the place where you think of erecting your
future abode; when that is done, we will take the luggage there, unpack
the wagon, bring it here, and fetch away all the boards that we can
find, which are good for anything. Luckily, I have brought tools for
splitting such slabs as we may want, for I guessed that the place would
look pretty much as it does--and as----"
"Mr. Wolfgang, you have become our guardian angel," said Pastor
Hehrmann, gratefully grasping his hand. "What should we have done if we
had arrived in this desert without you? the very idea is shocking; for,
unfortunately, even as it is, with you, it is bad enough. But you are
right; further reflections are unavailing here, and we must now prove
that we not only wish to become American farmers, but that we have the
strength and perseverance to carry out our resolution."
Wolfgang, quite aroused from his sorrow by the need in which he saw so
many of his fellow countrymen plunged, by the appeal made to his whole
activity and knowledge of life in the woods, and who hoped to find
alleviation, or at least temporary forgetfulness of his grief in
distraction, undertook the cause of the new settlers with cheerful
zeal; he soon chose a somewhat elevated spot, not far from running
water, and near enough, also, to the place where the people would have
to clear their first field; then worked and toiled as though he were
about to found a home for himself, and to clear and till his own land.
They quickly removed thither the things which they had brought with
them, and pacified the women as well as they could, concerning their
disappointed expectations; for to conceal the facts from them for that
day would have availed nothing but to have made them anxious all night,
and to have still, of necessity, learnt them on the following morning.
The plan with the old planks turned out well; the greater part of them
were still serviceable, only the getting them down was attended with
some danger. But the tailor, on the one side, and Scipio, on the other,
performed essential services on the occasion, and the former boasted not
a little of the dangers to which he had been exposed, when, two nights
later, the ruinous hut, with the whole piece of ground on which it
stood, really followed the kitchen and the smoke house.
The precaution for the encampment proved to have been necessary, for
towards morning there fell a tolerably smart shower of rain, from which
all the settlers were protected, and next day they proceeded with fresh
energy to the erection of the shanties in which they intended to pass
the winter.
But now it appeared how much they all had to learn, for no one knew how
to handle the axe, and in splitting the four feet long slabs, they were
all, even the carpenters themselves, very awkward. Wolfgang did not
allow any trouble to put him out, but worked from morning until late,
and on the evening of the second day he had the satisfaction of seeing
that all had a roof to their heads, and that the company was at least
sheltered from storm and rain.
The articles left behind, on the banks of the Mississippi, now began to
be much wanted, and their friendly helper determined to return with his
negro, and to send up the other black to the raising of the houses and
chimneys.[18] He promised to relieve him again himself, for it would
still be too quiet and lonely for him on his desolate hearth; received a
few commissions to buy provisions for them of the steamers which might
land there, and, after bidding a hearty farewell to all his
newly-acquired, and worthily deserved friends, left the "dead clearing,"
as the place had really been called, on account of its desolation, by
the hunters who made excursions thereabouts.
The entire colony now consisted of fifty-three persons, children
included; of mechanics, there were, three carpenters, two
cabinet-makers; a blacksmith, a locksmith, the tailor, shoemaker, and
brewer, a tanner, and a glazier's apprentice. The latter, a young lad,
had only come out to New York with them in search of his father, but had
ascertained from an acquaintance, whom he accidentally met there, that
his parent had died, and had been buried about three weeks before.
The poor boy, who was scarce fourteen years old, had now no other
resource but to join the society, which kindly received him; there was
very little stirring in his own way of business, it is true, at present;
for glazing windows, there were wanting not only sashes for the panes,
but houses for the sashes; but he soon found out that the axe played a
prominent part in the woods, and determined to devote all his skill to
that.
Wolfgang perceived, even during the first few days, with what zeal the
boy worked, when he could get hold of the American axe for a few
minutes; for those which they had brought with them from Germany were
not of much use, except as wedges, and when he returned to the
Mississippi, he left it with the boy, in order that he might exercise
himself in its use.
Charles, as he was universally called by the passengers of the Hoffnung,
did not require to be told this twice; from morning until evening, he
stood in the woods, and hacked, and chopped, and thought himself richly
rewarded, when he could hear the mighty stems fall with a loud
crash.[19]
The shoemaker, the tailor, and the brewer, did not participate in this
passion in the least. Working in the open air was altogether
disagreeable to them; to stand in the sun all day, and "hack about at
that hard wood," as the tailor expressed himself, did not agree at all
with their constitutions. But, as even the committee-men worked hard,
and as Pastor Hehrmann, in particular, from early till late, was the
first at work and the last to quit it, they were ashamed to lag behind,
so did their best. Meier always doubled himself up like a clasp-knife,
when he got under the shed of an evening, and during all the first week
was too fatigued to eat a morsel. The shoemaker intimated, on his part,
that were he in Germany, he should join the society for prevention of
cruelty to animals.
One only of the male portion of the colony had not yet done a stroke of
work, either with the axe or otherwise; this was Von Schwanthal; for
provisions were wanting, or, at least, want before long could be
foreseen, and the hunter shouldered his double-barrel, and stalked into
the woods.
Now there was nothing unusual in this; on the contrary, it was a matter
of course; every company that bivouacks in the woods--be they raftsmen,
on the banks or neighbourhood of a stream, or settlers, or even trappers
of beavers and otters,--have their hunters, often five or six men, who
hunt in the vicinity of the camp, and regularly bring in their booty.
The colony stood much in need of such a hunter, or rather, of several
such, but Von Schwanthal was not the man for it; for hardly had he
ventured a hundred paces into the thicket--scarcely did he find himself
surrounded on all sides by heaven-aspiring trees and wild bush, before
he listened attentively for the sound of the axes, as it reverberated
towards him, so that he might not possibly miss the direction; and he
would not have been induced to leave the neighbourhood of the people for
all the game in the world. That he could not get a shot in this way may
be imagined, and he came back regularly every evening, weary and hungry,
in order to victual himself again for the following morning, to beat
about the semicircle, with which he now began to be tolerably
acquainted, once more, and afterwards to abuse the neighbourhood in
which fortune had cast them, for want of game.
The old negro arrived about this time, with the second load, several
more axes, a barrel of flour, a barrel of beans, and a barrel of salt
pork; he brought also a fowling-piece, one of the long Yankee rifles,
with him.
Von Schwanthal viewed this new shooting apparatus with a very
incredulous smile, for the rough stock, carved out of very common wood,
the old, rusty barrel itself, which certainly could not boast of a
promising appearance, the large knife with a brown wooden handle, the
old leather bag, with a couple of flints, two bullets, a screw-driver,
and a mould; these, taken altogether, looked anything but sportsmanlike,
and contrasted very unfavourably with the excellent apparatus of the
German sportsman.
But when the latter got up, on the ensuing morning, he heard a shot at
no great distance from him, and looked about everywhere for Sam; but Sam
had started before daybreak, and shortly returned, panting under the
weight of a splendid young deer, which he carried upon his shoulders.
This disgrace had to be wiped off. Von Schwanthal never could look any
one in the face again, if that fellow scarcely got his rubbishing old
gun out, before he returned laden with spoil, while _he_ had been on the
look-out during four entire days, and had not brought home so much as a
claw. The time for exertion had arrived; the zealous hunter hardly gave
himself time to swallow his breakfast, and hurried off as fast as his
feet would carry him, right into the trackless thicket. But when arrived
there, his sporting ardour cooled down considerably, for he reflected
upon the hopeless condition of a person who should lose his way in those
swamps; but his feeling of honour got the better of this thought; his
entire reputation as a sportsman was at stake; he _must_ kill something
or other. He was well enough aware, though, that so close to the camp,
where the game could hear the strokes of the axe, and the rasping of the
saw, as well, if not better than he could himself, there was no chance;
taking care, therefore, to keep the sun straight before him, he walked
right on in that direction; he avoided no thicket, no fallen tree, but
pressed on through the one, and climbed over the other, and soon found
himself above his knees in water, in a swamp which spread itself out
before him, and as far, at least, as he could see, was nowhere bounded
by higher ground.
What was to be done now? Should he turn back, or endeavour to force his
way through that desert of swamp, and catch a dreadful cold, if he got
nothing else? Suddenly, he heard something splash to his right;
immediately afterwards, a couple of dry boughs snapped, and
yonder--yonder, scarce thirty yards distant from him--bounded a mighty
stag, in an open place in the woods, where the water, too, seemed to be
but a few inches in depth. For a moment, the hunter stood as if
thunderstruck, for the whole had taken place so suddenly, so
unexpectedly, that he could hardly recover himself; at last, however, he
mechanically raised the gun to his shoulder, and pulled the trigger.
But, alas! in vain did he press the trigger till he almost pressed it
down--no hammer fell--no discharge followed; the stag sprang about
twenty yards further, and for some seconds more stood looking at the
strange object in the water. Von Schwanthal pulled and pressed, till the
perspiration stood in drops upon his forehead. But in vain; the hammers
descended, it is true, but the piece did not go off--not so much as a
cap even exploded. It was then that he recollected the unlucky "patent
safety," which he had pushed forward whilst among the creeping plants
and underwood; he quickly pushed it back, but the deer was, by this
time, probably tired of waiting--Heaven knows how long!--to be shot at,
and fled in rapid bounds into the thicket; and the two cracking shots
which were now sent after him--alas, too late--only served to add wings
to his already mighty bounds.
Schwanthal stood, and gazed after the stag, as he disappeared in the
bush, and then down at his gun. He next seated himself upon the bough of
a prostrate oak, which projected out of the water, took a screw-driver
from his pocket, and very deliberately removed both of the safety-screws
from the lock; wrapped them in a small piece of paper, and then went
back to the nearest dry land, or rather, to that which was not covered
with water, and trod them--without a syllable, without a single oath,
but with such rage and determination--into the soft damp earth, that
they had soon penetrated far into it; he then, giving them a last hearty
farewell kick, said:--"So now, lie there till you rot--when I want you
again, I'll let you know."
So far so good. Now the first thing was to re-load the gun; but what was
to be done then? To wade further into the mud, or to turn back, and that
without having accomplished his object? No, on no condition could he do
that; the attempt, at least, must be made, and, besides, the sun shone
so clearly and so cheerfully that, losing one's self was out of the
question; so he cautiously stepped further and further through the
silent, listening woods--further still, till at last he reached a small
flat ridge, which traversed the swamp from east to west, and was itself
dry.
If he should follow this he must leave the sun a little on his left,
and it was very questionable whether he would afterwards find the right
direction on his return. He determined, therefore, to remain on the
watch where he was, where, of course, it was just as possible that a
head of game might come right towards him, and where he would incur no
danger of losing himself.
With a patience that would have done honour to a saint, hour after hour
he stood there, immovable, and listened attentively, often breathlessly,
when here and there a dry twig fell into the water, to the slightest
noise, to the gentlest sound, to the most trifling rustling of the
leaves. At last, however, the declining sun warned him of his return,
and, although he could not conceal from himself that the best time for
the movement of game was just beginning, yet he could not prevail on
himself to remain there, and perhaps afterwards lose his way in the
dark, for the sun was his only guide in the wilderness.
Chagrined, he slowly turned to quit the post he had hitherto kept;
but--fresh horror!--whither? The sun, as he now for the first time
considered, had been travelling through the sky during many long hours,
and stood in a totally different quarter from that which it occupied in
the morning. Should he now find his way back?--might he not turn off too
much either to his right or left? The bare idea raised his hair on end.
Snatching up the gun, he sprang in great haste over the narrow tongue of
dry ground, and over the other side into the swamp again, in order not
to lose any more valuable time, and waded, as fast as his feet would
carry him, right through it, with such exertion and haste that the water
often splashed right over him, and in less than a quarter of an hour's
march he was completely wet through.
But his fears seemed to have been verified, for he ought long since, as
he firmly believed, to have reached the spot where the trees felled by
the settlers were lying, and yet the swamp did not come to an end; for
although Von Schwanthal saw dry land on his left, he would not on any
account deviate from what he considered the right course. He now felt
the water grow more shallow, and immediately afterwards found himself
upon dry ground--ran over it--came to one of the innumerable little
muddy brooks, which cross the country in all directions--dashed through
it without pausing to consider; found himself up to his arm-pits in
water--climbed as well as he could out on the other side--and, being now
firmly convinced that he must have lost his way, as he knew nothing of
this brook, he began to call out with all his might for help.
"Mercy on us! what's the matter?" asked the little tailor, who stood
close beside him without his having noticed it,--"why, you're on dry
ground again."
"Oh, Meier, are you here?" exclaimed Von Schwanthal, delighted; "why,
there's the shoemaker, too. You haven't--surely, you haven't lost
yourselves, have you?"
"Lost ourselves? no, no!" laughed the little fellow; "we are too wide
awake for that; I, for instance, never go further away from the rest
than I can reach with my hand one of them, at all events. But what did
you halloo so for?"
"Oh, I--I--haven't you seen a stag come past here?" asked Von
Schwanthal, taking up his cue, for he was ashamed to let the people see
that he had been frightened. "I only called 'Look out!' in case any one
might have been out here with a gun."
"It sounded exactly like 'Help!'" said the shoemaker, grinning, and
giving the tailor a sly push with the crosscut-saw, which rested on a
slight oak, felled by Charles's hands, lying between them. "Have you
shot nothing?--there was a report."
"I--I wounded a stag," answered the sportsman; "but there was so much
water on the spot, that the tracks could not be followed, I couldn't
trace the blood; and, as I had no dog, why----"
"Of course!" said the tailor, elevating his eyebrows and nodding his
head violently--"of course! I think I shouldn't catch a stag either,
without a dog--the critters run so fast."
Schwanthal turned away in vexation, and, in a very bad humour, strode
towards the encampment, which was no longer distant; but he suddenly
began to limp, and declared, when he arrived at the first fire, where he
met Mrs. Hehrmann, that he had sprained his ancle, and most likely must
give up wandering about for a few days.
Von Schwanthal was pretty well cured of his apparently insatiable
passion for sport, and even began to help the labourers at their work;
but that was the wisest thing he could have done, for he thereby escaped
ridicule, and he comforted himself meanwhile with the idea that he
should soon be sufficiently acquainted with the woods--at all events, in
the neighbourhood--as to be exposed to no further danger of losing
himself, and to be enabled to hunt in all directions.
The men worked away perseveringly, without murmuring, and the women,
seeing the energy and spirit with which the men bore the greatest
hardships, abstained from complaining about their failed hopes and
disappointed expectations; but instead thereof, as it could not be
helped, they bore their privations with exemplary patience and
fortitude. Hehrmann's family, especially, was foremost in setting a good
example, and Bertha and her sister Louisa were the first at every kind
of work.
But the men stood in need of such encouragement, for their labours
progressed very slowly; the negro, it is true, had arrived, and with his
help many a tree lay felled and chopped; but it was not until now, when
they had begun the work, that they perceived the full extent of all they
had got to do. How they were to clear five acres of land, in as many
years, appeared an inexplicable riddle to them all, however they might
conceal their thoughts from each other.
The tailor gave vent to his feelings the most candidly of all, for when
Wolfgang relieved the negro again, he showed him the dreadful blisters
which he had got on his hands, and confessed to him (in confidence, of
course) that he never could think of passing another year in that place.
But where, during all this time, was the Doctor, who, for the sake of a
few hundred dollars, had sent the poor settlers, ignorant of the
country, in such a shameful manner into the wilderness? As he had now
obtained his end, received the money, and left the strangers to their
fate, the most natural thing for him to do was to take himself off, and
carry away his plunder to a place of security--and such had been his
original intention; but something on which he had not reckoned, and
which he had not foreseen, forbade the execution of it; for a wild
uncontrollable passion took possession of his heart for the lovely
daughter of the Pastor. Blinded by love, he determined to follow the
colony to its destination, and partly to weather the storm of those who
would discover that they had been deceived, partly to turn it off--to
remain in Bertha's neighbourhood, perhaps to make her his wife--at all
events, to be able to call her his. With this object he had, as a
primary step, to ascertain what her feelings were towards him, and it
was for this that he had approached her, on the last morning, with a
confession of his love.
But her cold behaviour showed him at once what he had to hope from her
heart and feelings; moreover, it could not escape him how she blushed
and became embarrassed at the allusion to Werner.
At a glance--with the glance of a man of the world--he saw that nothing
was to be accomplished there by honest wooing; but he was not the man so
readily to give up a plan he had once formed. During eleven years past a
sojourner in foreign lands, during the latter portion of that time in
America, he had learned to surmount whatever obstacles might come in his
way; and as he was not particular whether he resorted to honest or
dishonest means, if he could only attain the ends he had proposed to
himself, he seldom failed in carrying out his plans.
But, to follow to Tennessee those very settlers who had been deceived by
him, to play a part in all those unpleasant scenes which he could very
well foresee, and yet not advance a step nearer to his aim, did not seem
to him expedient. He determined, therefore, on remaining in Cincinnati
for the present; for that Bertha must be his he had vowed, and only the
more stimulated by the obstacles to the realization of his project, he
now considered ways and means to carry off, by force, the girl who would
not voluntarily follow him.
How difficult, how impossible, almost, pursuit was on the Mississippi,
when that mighty stream, with its wilderness on either shore, once
divided the pursued from the pursuers, he knew but too well, and all
that he now required was some trusty friend to assist him in his
undertaking. Such an one he had already found in Cincinnati, on the
previous evening, and while the "Dayton" was puffing and blowing down
the beautiful Ohio river, Normann and Turner (the latter a gambler by
profession from New Orleans, but who stayed in the North during the warm
summer months) stood on the quay, and Turner said, smilingly, when the
Doctor had made him acquainted with his wishes--
"Capital, Doctor--capital! And she has got a pretty sister, too, eh?"
"A beautiful girl," he assured him.
"Here's my hand, then; I'm your man! I could not better employ my time,
till the healthy season in New Orleans commences again. Perhaps we may
get both the girls."
"That is hardly possible!--how are we to bring them away?"
"Well, it's all one," said the profligate, laughing; "we're sure of one.
Moreover, I know that part of the country as well as though I had spent
all my life there. Five of us once ran all the way from Randolph up to
the Halchee on foot, most of the way at night, and with about twenty
stout boatmen after us. I shouldn't forget that chase, were I to live a
thousand years."
"And how did you get off?"
"There was a small boat on the Halchee; we jumped into it. The owner
would have made some difficulties, but luckily I had a loaded pistol
with me,--but that has nothing to do with it. The bargain is made."
"Shall we go alone?"
"No; we must have some one else to row, but I know one that will do; a
free nigger in the town here, whom I could lead to Perdition with us for
twenty dollars a month, and an extra allowance of whisky."
"Good,--such a fellow will be useful. And when shall we start? To-day?"
"Halloo! not so fast. I have got a young Italian, who has been
recommended to me, to pluck first; he seems immensely rich, so we will
get all ready for starting; perhaps, a hasty departure may be convenient
some of these days."
"Well, then," said the Doctor, "I'll get together everything that is
necessary, and this evening we'll meet at the old place in
Sycamore-street."
Normann left him, and walked along the quay, and up Main-street; but
Turner remained, with his arms folded, and followed Normann's retreating
figure with a contemptuous smile, and wheeled round on his heel when the
other turned the corner, and disappeared in the street to the right; and
with the same malicious expression he whispered to himself--
"We'll steal the girl together, my little Doctor, and if she's as pretty
as you've described her, why you shall help me; but if you suppose, my
short-sighted Dutchman, that she's for you, why you're confoundedly out
in your reckoning, I guess!"
FOOTNOTES:
[9] Mosquitoes always sting an old-countryman during the first year
ensuing his arrival more than they ever do afterwards, and more than
they do natives.--TR.
[10] There is no dawn in the latitude of the Big Halchee in August, or
none worth mentioning.--TR.
[11] This is not a picture of an average log-house, (which is wind and
water tight, and warm,) but of a very temporary shanty; it is not
consistent with the occupant's skill as a back-woodsman, or his
industry, that he should have let his wife live a single week in such a
hole--especially when a few shingles, and some moss and clay, would have
remedied all--TR.
[12] The watchmen in Germany, twenty years ago, used to (and, for aught
I know, still may) carry a horn, like that of our newsmen, which they
blew and announced the hours, &c.--TR.
[13] The fires in the back-woods are raked together at bed-time, and
covered with thin ashes, and so remain all night, smouldering, so that
in the morning they only require to be fanned a little, in order to burn
again, so as to ignite fresh fuel; indeed, the back log is usually a
thick piece of heavy wood, which lasts a day or two.--TR.
[14] The blowing of a horn is the usual signal to come home to
breakfast, dinner, supper, or for any other purpose, on North-American
farms.--TR.
[15] This seems to be rather unaccountable; it may be the popular
belief.--TR.
[16] Wood is used for fuel throughout Germany, and the numerous forests
are under the care of officers, called foresters, who have assistants,
called huntsmen, under them; they plant, thin, manage, and cut the
timber; also preserve game, kill vermin, &c.--TR.
[17] Rough shanties and small log-houses are sometimes covered with
planks, as in the text; but the more usual course in America is to roof
houses with shingles, which are rectangular pieces of pine split (with a
shingle knife) into the thickness of about a quarter of an inch, or
less, and these are nailed on, overlapping each other, like tiles; they
are light, weathertight, and durable, and only inferior to tiles, slate
or tin, in being more liable to accidents by fire.--TR.
[18] As the old chimney, even assuming it to have been of brick, would
not have sufficed, the reader may perhaps ask where the bricks and
mortar came from; but it is common in shanties in the woods, when these
cannot be had, to form chimneys of slabs of bass-wood, and plaster them
with clay. It need hardly be added that they sometimes take fire.--TR.
[19] Persons who once take to chopping--i. e., felling trees--prefer it
to all other work, and even feel a kind of passion for it.--TR.
CHAPTER V.
EXCURSIONS HITHER AND THITHER.
We have almost too long neglected a principal person in our narrative,
Young Werner; we left him sadly musing on the banks of the beautiful
Hudson River, and must now return to him.
"Well," said Helldorf, smiling, "have you nearly done looking? My
friend, my friend, it almost seems to me as though the most serious
thoughts in the world--thoughts of marriage--were floating in your head.
Consider that your chief object in coming to America was to earn
something, and that until that is done---- Well, then," he said,
interrupting himself with a smile, when he saw that Werner turned his
back impatiently upon him, "it's the old story, and all that I may say
will not alter it. But come along, Werner, else we shall really miss our
boat, and that's the most important thing to us at present."
"And will you indeed accompany me, my dear Helldorf?" asked the young
man.
"I suppose I must," said the other, with a shrug of his shoulders; "but
it's no such great sacrifice I am making. In the first place, I am
heartily sick of my stay in New York, and I have in fact some business
to look after in Philadelphia, which, if it does not absolutely require
me to go there, yet renders my presence desirable. We will therefore
lose no more time, but take our things with us at once; and, if I can.
I'll accompany you on your journey as far as Cincinnati, for I'm much
mistaken if you remain more than four weeks in Philadelphia."
"My dear fellow, however much my heart yearns towards Tennessee--as I
feel but too well that it does--yet it will be impossible for me, within
that period, to conclude that which I ought to conclude in Philadelphia,
or rather, to speak more correctly, to commence the formation of
connexions which I ought to form there. But we shall see; perhaps you
yourself may like to remain longer."
"Well, we shall see, certainly," replied Helldorf. "To speak candidly, I
should, in your place, have gone with them to the settlement at once."
"To become a farmer?"
"For no other purpose; but you are just like all the rest--you will only
learn by experience. But we must really be off. Do you see the smoke
yonder; that's from the Philadelphia packet-boat, and we have little
enough time left to get all our things on board."
The young men returned to the town arm in arm, and in another hour they
stood upon the splendidly fitted-up steamer which was to conduct them to
the proud Quaker city.
Their journey was a short one; they went by water to the southern shore
of Staaten Island Bay, removed the little baggage which they had to the
railway there, and, in six hours more, they found themselves in the most
beautiful, but assuredly, also, the most tedious, of North American
cities.
"Well, and what do you think of setting about next?" inquired Helldorf
of Werner, when, towards evening, they had deposited their luggage, and
were walking about Chestnut-street, the principal street of
Philadelphia, which was then crowded with well-dressed people.
"Why, to deliver my letters of recommendation, of course," answered the
other, smiling. "I have been so urgently recommended to certain houses
of business here, that I may be permitted to hope that I may receive
some assistance from them in furthering my plans. Yes, Helldorf, I may
confide in you--I know that I can confide in you"--continued the young
man, seizing his friend's hand, and becoming more animated; "you have
behaved so heartily towards me, even from the very first, that I must
unreservedly unfold all my plans to you."
Helldorf smiled, but pressed the right hand which was extended to him,
and replied, "And may I not guess them?"
"Partly, perhaps," said Werner, and his countenance coloured more
deeply--"partly, no doubt--my love for Bertha--but that is not all; that
is only the sunny point of my existence--the aim towards which my whole
exertions, my whole soul is directed; but you shall know the means also
by which I hope to attain my object, and you shall tell me whether you
approve them or not."
Helldorf slightly bowed, and Werner began:--
"In stating my endeavours and plans, I probably shall be merely
describing those of thousands besides, who, like myself, are thrown upon
these shores without means, and who wish to make their fortunes, as the
phrase is.
"When I embarked at Bremen almost, my only wish and intention was to
travel through the States in all directions; my plans are now altered.
Taking all things into consideration, I don't think that Pastor Hehrmann
will agree long with the Committee whom they have chosen."
Helldorf nodded his head, significantly.
"He himself is poor," Werner continued, "and the time may arrive when he
may stand in need of a friend; so I will set to work with zeal and
earnestness,--get some situation here, which I must soon be able to
do--work, speculate, devote my whole life to this one object, and then
present myself, cheerfully, to the parents of my beloved, and ask them
for their daughter's hand,--then I shall have deserved her."
"Well said, my worthy young friend," said the Kentuckian, laying his
hand upon Werner's shoulder; "but I don't see why you should make such
preparation here in the East; your prospects _here_ are very uncertain."
"My recommendations----"
"I beg of you, for Heaven's sake, say no more about your
recommendations: those----. However, I will not make your heart heavy;
but, Werner, if you will follow my advice, you will go to the West as
quickly as you can, and become a farmer; every month that you pass here
is so much time lost, for farmer you will become, after all. You are no
merchant, have never been one, and--in short, are not at all fitted for
an American trader."
"But I don't see why not! I understand book-keeping thoroughly."
"Oh, I don't mean on account of want of knowledge; that, if necessary,
could be acquired by you, and soon, too--you are too honest!"
"Why, my dear Helldorf; you surely don't mean to affirm that the
American merchants are dishonest?"
"No, certainly not," exclaimed Helldorf; "and I should be very sorry if
you should so misunderstand me; but more is required in order to be a
merchant here in America than merely book-keeping and speculating on the
Exchange; for this last branch of business we have a special class of
men, the money-brokers as they are called, who, I may say, in passing,
don't stand in very good odour. But the German is no match for the
American in business, because he is too considerate. The Jews get on
about the best of any here; they soon adapt themselves to the manners
and customs of the country, begin in a small way, and do not let either
painstaking or shame discourage them--and become rich. But in America
the standard of honesty is different from that of Germany. In your
country, for example, a bankrupt who should become rich by his
bankruptcy would be stamped with infamy. It is quite different here; I
know people who have been bankrupt three times, who possess more than a
million of dollars, and a reaccounted among the most respectable men of
the city wherein they live. In Little Rock, one of the richest merchants
made a declaration of insolvency, and yet, at the same time, was
building a couple of large brick houses."
"But how was that possible?"
"Oh, in that way anything is possible, and the Americans call it
'smart.'"
"That's the word which Dr. Normann mentioned to me. But about the
merchant?"
"The doctor is acquainted with it, no doubt," said Helldorf, with a
smile. "Well, the merchant in question had settled all his property upon
his wife--no one could take any part of it from him; the creditors came,
but had to draw off again without getting anything."
"But the houses?"
"Oh, his wife was having them built; _he_ had nothing, of course--he was
a poor ruined man; however, everybody gave him credit again, and as soon
as he had obtained his certificate, he began business afresh with more
spirit than ever. I could relate hundreds of such instances of people
whom I have known personally."
"That certainly does not say much for their honesty, if such a
proceeding is reckoned an ordinary mercantile transaction," said Werner;
"but, be that as it may, trade certainly is the quickest way to acquire
a little property; and, I should think, that if one were honest and
upright, buyers must soon find it out, and it would carry weight."
"Oh, my dear Werner, that's of little use here; the modest man remains
behind, and without puffing and quackery, a poor devil can seldom get
along in America, unless, as I have already observed, he turns farmer.
Those are my views, but I don't wish to palm them upon you as the views
of all the world; I shall even be glad, on your account, if you should
not find them confirmed."
"But I have no capital to begin with--at least----"
"If that makes any difference at all, it's rather in your favour than
otherwise," said Helldorf, smiling; "don't suppose that the people who
bring over capital with them pluck roses here. 'Where there is nothing,
the Emperor himself can't levy tribute,' and 'he who has no money pays
no premium.' But these sort of sayings are thrown away upon emigrants;
they must try it all themselves; afterwards, they get along better in
every way."
"But I feel a real desire within me to set to work at a business life
here."
"Very well, my dear Werner, then I wont dissuade you," replied Helldorf,
good humouredly; "deliver your introductions to-morrow, and we'll see
what may turn up. It's getting late, so let us make haste back to our
inn, else we may arrive after time, or miss our supper, which is about
the same thing."
The two friends returned to their boarding-house, and as Werner went out
rather early on the following morning, the afternoon was advanced before
they met again.
Werner came home very tired; he had delivered a number of letters of
introduction, and had found a good many of the people, whom he had
subsequently to call upon, from home, which altogether was no trifle in
that immense city. However, he had been asked by _all_ to call again
next day, a sure sign that the people intended not to accept the
introduction merely, and then drop the matter, but that they would exert
themselves a little for him.
He had received an invitation to dinner for the next day from a merchant
named Harvey, whom he had found a very agreeable man, and he promised
himself much satisfaction from it.
"Well then, our paper is going up," said Helldorf, with a smile; "well,
I wish that I may prove a false prophet. We will remain together a
little longer this evening, for to-morrow I must go to German-town on
some business, which will detain me for three days at the most, and I
hope afterwards to see you finish with Philadelphia and your future
prospects."
"Hardly so soon," said Werner, incredulously; "but time will show; from
all that I have seen to-day, however, I think that I may fairly be
sanguine."
At the public dinner table, they met several other Germans, among the
rest a M. Von Buchenberg, who was seated next to Werner. He had been
some weeks in Philadelphia, and purposed to visit the West, in order to
survey several districts of land in the interest of some company or
other, which already had a high-sounding name.
Von Buchenberg was not calculated, however, to give much encouragement
to young Werner, for he abused the town soundly:
"The devil take this _pious_ Philadelphia!" he exclaimed, indignantly;
"they keep Sundays here so strictly, that one daren't so much as peel an
apple, and yet all the while there they sit in their rocking-chairs, and
calculate and plan, how they shall cheat each other next day. Heaven
alone knows all the sects that crawl about here; there are Quakers and
methodists, baptists, presbyterians, Millerites, Schulzerites, and
Meierites, and Heaven knows what other names the fellows have! A shudder
comes over me when I see the gang of thieves, cutting about in
snuff-coloured suits."
"But the quakers are very plainly dressed," said Werner, taking up their
cause; "indeed, 'tis a part of their religion to attire themselves in as
quiet a manner as possible."
"Certainly," exclaimed Buchenberg; "but is it not strange that they
should dress themselves up in a costume which everybody else has long
since ceased to wear? The women, too, don't they just coquette in an
alarming manner from under their black sun-bonnets of such a very pious
cut! Well, then, the town itself!" continued the little man, who had
just got into train, "this regularity at last becomes quite unbearable,
and one dare not go abroad without a compass. If you inquire of any one
in the streets which way you are to get to so-and-so, they don't answer
you as reasonable people in other reasonable places would answer: 'You
go down yonder, then take the first turning on the right or left as the
case may be, go through that street, and then through such another
street to the place you wish for;' oh lord, no!--if you ask a
Philadelphian your way to ever so near a place, he says directly: 'Oh,
you can't miss it; you go from here three streets south, then you turn
westward till you come to the fourth, then again two streets south, and
it's to the east the third house on the north side.' Now I'll appeal to
anybody, isn't it enough to drive one wild?"
"Why, the points of the compass are easily remembered," said Helldorf,
with a smile.
"It happened just the same with me," Werner declared.
"Easily remembered!--how so?" said Von Buchenberg, who now got rather
warm on the subject. "Suppose that it's cloudy; and besides, since when,
I should like to know, have all men learned astronomy? I know that the
sun rises in the east and sets in the west, but therewith, Basta, the
rest does not concern me. If I want to know about it, I look into the
almanack. But that isn't all: the other day I was sitting at this very
table, and yonder, where that gentleman now sits, there sat a Quaker; in
the middle of dinner he stretches out his arm, and points down the
table, saying to me, 'Friend, may I trouble thee to reach me that
north-west dish.' I sat, regularly nonplussed, and stared at him,
whereupon he added, by way of explanation, that one to the south of the
soup.' Why, it beats all; what, am I to go outside the door, and look
after the quarters of the heavens, or else have a pocket compass always
ready beside my plate?"
Helldorf and Werner laughed heartily, and the worthy Von Buchenberg was
quite right, for the regular plan of the town in which all the streets
run at right angles from north to south, and from east to west, has
familiarized the inhabitants with this mode of expression. And it must
be allowed that when the ear has once got accustomed to it, the most
distant places may be thus admirably and accurately designated; but to
the emigrant, unless indeed he happen to be a seaman, the thing sounds
oddly.
Next morning, Helldorf started on his little journey, and Werner ran
about from one merchant to another, made calls upon calls, and was met
everywhere by mere civilities, or at most by a dinner. He became
heartily sick of this kind of life, and longed for the return of his
absent friend, although he almost dreaded his ridicule, for everything
had happened pretty much as he had foretold him. Still he was at least
conscious that he had not neglected anything which he had to do, and had
done everything in his power.
Helldorf returned at the time appointed; but, contrary to expectation,
he did not ridicule his friend, but merely excused the men (merchants
for the most part) to whom the introductions had been addressed, for not
having paid more attention and regard to them.
"You see, my dear Werner, every year many thousand persons arrive in the
United States, the majority of whom entertain the settled conviction
that they cannot get along at all unless they bring their pockets full
of introductions which certify on the face of them to the good
people--'Hark ye, I am so and so, a respectable, decent person, and it
would much oblige Mr. So and so, in Europe, if his esteemed friend in
Philadelphia or New York, or whatever the place may be, would receive me
in a friendly manner and aid me with word and deed; the friend in Europe
would also, in return, be most happy to render any similar service.'
Yes, that's all very well, but how seldom does it happen that any one
requires an introduction for Germany? for America it is a matter of
daily occurrence. No, the merchants in the great commercial towns are
regularly inundated with such recommendations, and we must not by any
means blame them, if they are not beside themselves with joy and
gladness so soon as they see a stranger enter their house, poking such a
letter of introduction, as a snail does his horns, before him. 'Help,
thyself,' is the motto here, and whoever is thoroughly impressed with
that need not fear. But, Werner, I have a proposal to make to you. I
have accepted a commission in German-town, which will oblige me to go to
New Orleans, will you go with me?"
"How far is it to New Orleans?" asked Werner.
"One can tell that you haven't been long from Germany," said Helldorf,
with a smile. "_Here_ nobody asks how _far_ it is to a place, but the
question is, '_How_ do you get there?' I intend to go by water. If you
like, make up your mind quickly, and we'll go back to-morrow to New
York, whence the packet boat 'Mobile' starts for New Orleans, and, if we
have a favourable passage, we may get there in a fortnight. In New
Orleans you can look about you a little; who knows what may offer itself
there, and after a stay of about a week, I promise to accompany you to
any little river in Tennessee which you may propose. From New Orleans we
can get up there in three days."
"Oh, my dear Helldorf, Philadelphia has discouraged me very much! What
am I to do in Tennessee? How can I hope--how dare I ask, for Bertha's
hand? How am I to support her?"
"Oh, means will be devised," exclaimed Helldorf; "only you must set the
right way to work, and an industrious man need not fear to strive in
vain. Trust in me, my dear Werner, and I'll put you on the right track,
and if you don't follow it, why it's your own fault. Do you go to New
Orleans with me?"
"Agreed!--here's my hand. It's true that I have a couple of
introductions for that place, too; but they shan't determine me, for
I'll not use them;" and, in the first impulse of vexation, he pulled the
letters out of his pocket, and would have thrown them into the stream
which flowed past.
"Hold!" said Helldorf, seizing his hand; "we must not condemn all
without distinction; such letters are like wet percussion caps, they
generally miss fire; sometimes, however, one does explode, and the gun
goes off. Such a bit of paper is not heavy, and, at any rate, can do no
harm."
Werner put back the letters into his pocket, but opined that something
unforeseen must happen to induce him to make use of them.
Their preparations for the journey did not occupy much time, and as a
favourable wind filled their sails from New York, they passed Sandyhook
on the second evening, and, steering due south, entered the open sea.
With the exception of some storms, which they had to encounter in
crossing the Gulf Stream, their voyage was as quick and as pleasant a
one as could be expected at the season; only the heat became very
oppressive as they sailed along the Gulf of Florida, past the Havannah,
for the wind, which had hitherto brought some cool breezes with it, now
almost ceased.
It was on the sixteenth day from their departure from New York, that
Werner, stretched out on the bowsprit of the ship, looked forward at the
steamer which was approaching them, for the purpose of towing the ship
through the labyrinth of the Mississippi Delta, about eighty miles up
the broad stream, to New Orleans. She soon laid herself alongside the
ship, the ropes were made fast, and, leaving the flat, reedy, and swampy
shores of the outer mouth behind them, the "Porpoise" steamed away
against the current. Now they glided past between mighty forests
intergrown with reeds,--now these became more open--plantations became
visible,--and now, as they approached nearer and nearer to the gigantic
commercial city of the south, the constantly increasing civilization and
culture had driven the old, venerable, primeval forest far into the
background, so that its distant tops could only be discerned as a green
stripe on the horizon, and, instead thereof, a boundless sea of waving
sugar-canes, and tall, stiff, cotton-plants surrounded them.
Night closed in too soon for the astonished spectator, and by day-break
he was already awake again and on deck, to admire the panorama of New
Orleans, now spread out before him in all its grandeur.
If, even on his landing at New York, he had found himself surrounded by
a peculiar foreign-looking kind of life, how much more was this the case
here, where the tropical countries were wafting their warm luxurious
breath towards him! The innumerable ships and vessels of all
descriptions which bounded the shores with a forest of masts, the
multitude of steamers arriving and departing, the sailing-boats shooting
backwards and forwards across the river, the little fruit-boats, the
crowding of wagons with goods on the shore, the movements of the
cheerful, well-dressed crowd, which seemed to be thrown together there
from all quarters of the globe,--all these so occupied his senses, that
he scarcely noticed that the ship was landed and moored to the quay, and
his attention was first called to the fact by the idlers and
business-people who pressed on board.
Helldorf, who had been several times before in this capital of the
South, and to whom the bustling and picturesque scene was no longer a
novelty, had, meanwhile, handed over the luggage belonging to them both
to a drayman or carter, whose number he took, and the friends lounged
slowly across the Levee,[20] up into the town.
"What do you think of New Orleans?" asked Helldorf, at last, as they
turned into one of the principal streets which ran parallel with the
river, and Werner stopped, really astonished at all the magnificence and
splendour which met his wondering eye on every side.
"There certainly is something grand about such a city," said Werner;
"but it's too much for me, it oppresses more than it pleases. It is
beautiful to see once, but I don't think that it would please me for a
continuance."
"Exactly my idea," said Helldorf; "however, my friend, in a week or two
it will present a different spectacle. As soon as the yellow fever comes
in here, the most of the occupants (those who possess the means, that is
to say,) go out, and of those who remain a large number die off like
flies. I was once in New Orleans in September, and all these streets,
now so crowded with people, were deserted and empty, and as silent as
the grave; many were even boarded up, and on innumerable doors black
crape fluttered, or boards were hung out, containing cautions from
approaching too near, as the pestilence was raging within."
"I suppose Germans don't remain here much, for the climate must be
especially pernicious to them."
"Germans usually form one half of the entire number of victims," said
Helldorf; "they come here, live intemperately and dissolutely, and
expect to be able to endure and to keep in health, where thousands of
their countrymen perish miserably, and are buried like dogs. Oh, my
friend, 'tis a melancholy chapter that, and we'll talk more about it
some other time. For the present, while 'tis yet cool, we'll stroll
about a little; by-and-by, it will be insufferably hot in the streets.
Will you deliver your letters of recommendation here?"
"No, I'll not vex myself any more," replied Werner.
"But one of them is sealed," said Helldorf; "perhaps it contains private
matter, and may be of much interest to the party to whom it is
addressed."
"I think not; the writer of it, an old uncle of mine, read the contents
to me, and then sealed it in my presence; it is just an introduction
like the rest, and for a quondam Doctor of Medicine too, who is said now
to have turned farmer, somewhere in the southern part of Missouri; he
wont be able to help me much."
"Well, don't say that," replied Helldorf, with a dissentient shake of
the head; "perhaps, more than all these traders and merchant gentry
here, who look upon an emigrant as a piece of goods, as perishable goods
merely, if they can get any benefit out of him, but entertain a holy
horror of him if such be not the case, or they even fear that he may
become burthensome to them. But come, we will look up an old friend of
mine, who keeps school here in Poydras-street--a college friend."
"And he has turned schoolmaster?"
"Lord! what does one not turn to in America, if an opportunity occurs or
a good prospect offers. As he writes to me, he is doing very well. This
is the number of the house. I think we may as well go in at once."
"But shall we not disturb him?"
"Oh, they're not so particular about that here; besides, the school will
probably be thinly attended in summer, and I shouldn't wonder if the
holidays had already commenced. But we can soon convince ourselves."
They mounted a narrow, steep staircase to the second floor, and, when
arrived there, found themselves without any necessity for tapping at the
door, in the middle of the school as it were. The door of the room,
which was not a large one, stood open, on account of the heat; the
windows likewise; and scholars and teacher sat, mostly in their shirt
sleeves, in the cool draught which streamed through the house.
"Helldorf!" exclaimed the schoolmaster, a handsome young man, with dark
curly hair, jumping up, surprised, from the two chairs on which, half
extended, he had made himself up a very comfortable seat. "Helldorf!
where the deuce do you drop from?"
"Do we disturb you?" asked the other.
"How can you think of such a thing!" was the laughing answer. "Well,
the holidays commence next Friday, and to-day is Monday, and then the
vexed soul will rest!"
"And where shall you go to?"
"Up the river, of course!"
"Why, that's just the thing--we shall travel together, at all events, a
part of the journey. But stay, I must first of all introduce my friend
Werner to you--a German, just arrived, who thinks of settling in the
West. I trust that you'll be good friends."
The two young men shook hands; and the scholars--a mixed company of
French, Creole, German, and English--nudged each other, and tittered at
the German, or "Dutch" as they termed it, that was spoken.
There were boys and girls of all ages, and of the strangest appearance,
thrown together. But one of the queerest specimens stood right before
the little reading-desk, and in front of a large black board, which was
hanging on the wall, and half covered with the alphabet in Roman and
German characters.
"Look ye, Helldorf," said young Schwarz, smiling, as he laid his hand on
the shoulder of the hopeful young citizen of the world, who, with his
knees somewhat turned inwards, and his hands in his pockets, stood in by
no means a picturesque attitude before them, and exhibited his
projecting profile staring from beneath a matted head of hair. "Here I
have a prize specimen of my scholars--a juvenile Benjamin Franklin, only
undeveloped; a diamond, only rather rough! He is one of those rare
individuals for whose genius this low sphere is too narrow, and who may
be found by dozens, armed with spoons and bits of stick, at the sugar
and syrup casks on the Levee! Come, Benjamin, now mind what you're
about!"--turning towards the youth, who was about twelve years of
age--"don't disgrace me, but show what you have learnt. Do you know any
of the letters that are written on here--eh?"
Benjamin distorted his mouth into a broad grin, till it reached from
ear to ear, balanced himself from the left foot to the right, began to
poke, not his hands alone, but his arms also, into his pockets, and
nodded his head in token of intelligence.
"So, you know some of them! But, come, take your hands out of your
pockets--that is not becoming!"
Benjamin obeyed the command, as far as the right side was concerned, and
produced five fingers which certainly appeared to confirm the master's
former speech, and not only bore antediluvian traces of syrup, but also
of Levee dust.
"The other, too, Benjamin," said Mr. Schwarz.
The left followed--rather slowly, it is true--but still it followed.
However, it seemed to feel an irresistible disposition to occupy itself
with something, and meanwhile, laid hold of the left foot, which was
raised towards it.
Helldorf smiled, and the foot fell back into its old position.
"Now, tell me which of these letters you know?" asked Mr. Schwarz.
Benjamin, thus driven to extremity, first drew his right sleeve
carefully across under his nose, and made divers efforts, which
severally miscarried, by reason of the grave look of the master, to slip
the left hand into his pocket again. At last, he made a step forward,
rubbed the palms of his hands once or twice violently together, not so
much to their damage as of the dried syrup, grinned yet broader than
before, advanced a second step, and pointed, half abashed, to the
capital "H."
"So, you know that letter?"
Benjamin nodded his head, significantly.
"You don't know any other?"
A violent shaking of his head confirmed his negative answer.
"And what do you call that one?"
The catechumen peeped from one stranger to the other, with an
embarrassed smile, rubbed the palms of his hands with unmistakable zeal
on both his hips, looked first at the board, then at his toes, and then
up to the master--and at last whispered--
"I do--a--n't know!"
But Helldorf and Werner could stand it no longer; and the whole class
joined their loud laughter in a full pealing chorus, and a weight seemed
to be removed from their hearts.
"Go home!" exclaimed Schwarz, who had great difficulty in keeping his
countenance. "You need not come back this afternoon; but mind, let me
have your lessons well learnt by to-morrow!"
He had no occasion to say this twice; the command was obeyed so promptly
that none of the boys stayed to put on their jackets, but each of them
seized his few books under his arm, and struggled towards the stairs, in
order, if possible, to be the first, but at all events, not the last,
who should forsake the school-room. Even Benjamin seemed in a moment
quite transformed; he squeezed a small and very much crumpled straw hat
on his head, and dived, with apparent contempt of life, right into the
midst of the throng that was hurrying out.
In a few more seconds, the three young men were the only occupants of
the room; and Helldorf, still laughing, inquired of his friend how, in
the name of wonder, he had got into such a situation?
"The matter is very simple," said Schwarz; "I had nothing else to
do--could obtain no employment--and became schoolmaster! Thousands do
the same, in America; and out of the forty-seven thousand elementary
schools which the United States possess, I am quite convinced that there
is not one thousand which can show masters regularly educated from youth
upwards to their profession! Nothing is more easy than to pass a
schoolmaster's examination; and as neither party is bound to the other,
nothing is more easy than to put an end to the relation!"
"But such a constant change of masters must operate very prejudicially
upon the children themselves," said Werner.
"Certainly it does. But the masters must have a better provision made
for them, if they are to be expected not to throw up their employment as
soon as anything better may offer! We are not in Germany, where a poor
schoolmaster must put up with his lot, because he cannot hope to earn
his bread in any other way, and where, if the attempt should fail, his
return would remain closed from him for an endless time. If I were to
accept a situation as dancing-master to-morrow, or were to go upon the
stage, or take to performing conjuring tricks, it would be a very
trifling obstacle, if, indeed, it would be one at all, to my becoming a
schoolmaster again!"
"Are the schools all established on the same system as this one?" asked
Werner.
Schwarz laughed. "Speak out what you meant to say!--established without
any system at all, like this! Why we certainly cannot require better
things, in summer, in New Orleans. In winter, my class is--or rather,
was--three times as well attended; the lessons are regularly heard, and
order prevails. But during the summer, everything slumbers--and in four
weeks from this time the city, whose commercial activity now seems
boundless and inexhaustible, will look like a protestant church on a
week day! But we are wasting time here! We will pass the heat of the day
at my house, and towards evening stroll through the town. Then it is
that it shows itself in its splendour, and that one can understand the
possibility of there being people who, notwithstanding the annual return
of the plague-like yellow fever, yet bid defiance to the infection and
to their fears, in order to live in New Orleans."
Helldorf got through a good deal of his business on this day, and
Werner, in the meantime, remained in Schwarz's company, where he soon
discovered that he too was intending to bid adieu to town life, and--to
become a farmer in the woods of the West.
"As soon as I once forsake New Orleans," said he, "I shall never return
to it. I have got through _one_ year safely--to remain a second would be
to tempt Providence; the two hundred dollars that I have been able to
save will found myself a home."
"Two hundred dollars! How is it possible; why, with that you cannot buy
even the most needful things."
"Oh, yes," answered Schwarz, with a smile; "you don't want much in the
woods; if you like to come along with me, I will give you some practical
instructions in the matter. You may still profit from a schoolmaster."
"And do you really believe that with two hundred dollars----"
"Not you," interrupted Schwarz; "not a newly arrived emigrant; unless,
indeed, he follow reasonable counsel and instruction; but with those it
is possible even for him; but, in that case, he does not succeed upon
the strength of his two hundred dollars alone, but makes use of the
premium, also, which his advisers have paid; in my own case, that
amounted to seven hundred dollars--quite a decent little fund."
"And you, yourself, will settle?"
"Yes; I will build my shanty, and clear a little land this fall and
winter; then I can begin at once next spring."
"And cattle?"
"I will rear also, of course--'tis the chief source of profit."
"And do you really think that, in a few years, one may earn enough
to--to----"
"To keep a wife," said Schwarz, with a laugh.--"Eh! that was what you
were going to say?"
Werner coloured up to the eyes.
"Why, of course," continued Schwarz, who noticed it, with a smile. "It
is only as a farmer that you have a prospect of soon being enabled to
marry; it is even, to a certain extent, a necessary consequence, for a
bachelor's household in the bush is rather too dull an affair. Have you
got a little wife already!"
"I? No, Heaven forbid!"
"Halloa! don't rear on your hind legs directly!" said Schwarz; "I didn't
want to inquire too minutely. But, be that as it may, we can try it, at
all events--if you don't like it, why, Lord bless you, you can give it
up again. One takes to something else--better luck next time."
Thus the matter was disposed of for the present, and five days passed
away in a constant whirl of excitement, for everything that the young
German saw and heard possessed the charm of novelty, and was invested
with the magic of a southern climate, so that he several times hinted to
Helldorf, that he felt an almost irresistible impulse to jump on board
of the first ship that started, and visit the tropics.
But every one dissuaded him from undertaking such a voyage, especially
at that time of the year; Helldorf especially exhorted him to abandon
these ideas.
"For," said he, "we are destined for a temperate climate, and although
we may force ourselves into the torrid zone, still, either we perish
there, or become a sort of half-and-half, nondescript being, who, any
one may see, is not in his right place."
At last, Helldorf and Schwarz had terminated their respective
businesses, and the latter allowed himself to be persuaded first of all
to land in Tennessee, and visit the German settlers there. Selecting,
therefore, the fastest of the nine steamers which, on that day, started
up stream, viz:--the Diana--they got their things on board, and were
soon flying up the river between the really garden-like banks of the
Mississippi, where plantation succeeded plantation, and wide boundless
fields alternated picturesquely with buildings concealed by groves of
oranges and pomegranates, until now and then the dark, morassy, and
primeval forest interrupted the blooming landscape once more, and
stretched its waving boughs even to the strand, to which it clung with
its winding creepers, as though it would not be parted from its cradle,
the old Mississippi.
FOOTNOTE:
[20] The Levee in New Orleans, and indeed throughout Louisiana, is the
dyke or dam thrown up along the Mississippi, which hinders the stream
from overflowing the adjoining lands, which, when the waters are high,
are on a lower level than itself. In New Orleans, it is more especially
used as a landing place for steamers and a public promenade, and in
general is the scene of the greatest bustle, on account of the constant
arrival and departure of ships and vessels, while dealers and hawkers
increase the throng and noise.
CHAPTER VI.
THE UNEXPECTED VISIT.
And how were the settlers getting on in the meantime? Had they
reconciled themselves to their new position? Had they forgiven Dame
Fortune for having cast their lot out in a woody desert?
No. They, of whom one would have least expected it, namely, the
women--were the most patient; the men, on the other hand, especially the
Oldenburghers, grumbled dreadfully, and declared often enough that they
were entitled to expect a better kind of life in return for the payment
of so large a capital. 'Tis true that they could no longer reproach the
Committee with pride or exclusiveness, for they lived in the midst of
them, ate the same food, and laboured at the same tasks; but that, in
fact, was one of their chief grievances, that they really had no
reasonable pretence for complaint.
Under Wolfgang's direction, and with his active help, sufficient
shanties were erected to protect the whole of the settlers from wind and
rain; and, indeed, to afford them as convenient a shelter as is usual in
those parts. They had also begun to clear the land--that is, to fell the
trees and to grub up the bushes, and the immediate necessaries of life
for the present were provided for, Wolfgang having bought a sufficient
quantity of flour and salt meat from a steamer which stopped at his
place to take in wood, and having sent up these stores by his negro.
What was it that they wanted, then?
Everything! How had the ideas which they had cherished in their old home
been verified? Where were those fertile plantations, where that
super-abundance of produce, that easy life of which they had dreamed?
Alas! it had, indeed, been but a dream! Such things look very different
in reality. Those aboriginal woods which we cannot picture to ourselves
grand and splendid enough, become an intolerable nuisance when we have
to live in them, and to combat their gigantesque vegetation. Every one
hears and reads with pleasure of the romantic life of a hunter, who
passes his nights in the open air, under the greenwood; but it is
anything but romantic when the rain falls through that greenwood, and
wets one to the skin. Thousands of such trifles there are, to which all,
especially Europeans, must first get accustomed; but that is not done in
three weeks, which was the period of time that had elapsed since the
passengers of the "Hoffnung" had taken possession of their land. Was it
surprising, then, that they were not yet satisfied with their life, that
they could not be satisfied?
They were occupied for the moment in splitting rails to fence in a large
cattle-yard, and Wolfgang had gone off into the hills, accompanied by
Siebert, senior, and Herbold, (the former as treasurer, the latter as an
adept in the business,) to purchase some horses and cows wherewith to
commence cattle rearing. But, as this branch of rural economy is
conducted very differently in the backwoods of the West, from the old
settled States and Europe; as the cattle are not tied up in sheds, but
roam freely about in the woods, and when wanted, have first to be sought
for and got together, such a piece of business is not done in a day, and
Wolfgang told the settlers beforehand that they were not to alarm
themselves, if he and his companions should stay away a week or even a
fortnight, as they probably should bring the cattle with them, and as
driving them would prove very tedious.
They had been gone three days, and Von Schwanthal, who, since the time
when Meier met him in the woods in such a state of alarm, had pretty
well abandoned his shooting, was just engaged with Pastor Hehrmann, Mr.
Becher, and some of the Oldenburghers, in splitting a huge red beech,
which, with combined efforts, they had felled on the previous day, when
the tailor, who had been piling brush in the neighbourhood of a little
thicket, suddenly came rushing towards them with good news depicted in
his countenance, uttering exclamations, and making signs, while yet afar
off.
The men paused in their work, looking at him as he came running towards
them. He arrived at last, almost out of breath, exclaiming----
"Mr. Von Schwanthal--Mr. Von Schwanthal, get your gun; there's a whole
'herd' of turkeys over yonder!"
"Where?" the latter hastily asked, throwing down the axe, and jumping up
in a great hurry. The old love of sport, which had only slumbered for a
week or two, awoke in all its vigour.
"Here, close by, where we're working--where the dead cow lies that
couldn't stand the climate!"
"Near the dead cow?" asked Von Schwanthal, surprised.
"Yes, it's a fact, I assure you; but make haste!" exclaimed the little
tailor, himself spurred on to irrepressible excitement by the sight of
the game. "You seem to think that they'll wait till you come."
Von Schwanthal ran quickly to the shanty, which was not far distant, put
a couple of dozen of cartridges in his game-pouch, seized the gun, and
followed Meier's active little form, which bounded over a fallen tree,
lying in his way, with gazelle like agility, and then dived into the
woods.
Siebert, junior, the shoemaker, brewer, and Schmidt, with some
Oldenburghers and Alsatians, who also had been in the neighbourhood,
drew back when they saw the game and heard the tailor's resolve to fetch
the hunter; but now they made signs from a distance that the birds were
still there, and exhorted the approaching men, by all kinds of
telegraphic movements, to walk carefully, so as not to scare away the
delicate roast.
Von Schwanthal requested his companions--for the whole company had
joined the sport--for Heaven's sake to be quiet, and to remain where
they where, whilst he crept forward by himself, in doing which he found
the game-bag a very great incumbrance, to see if he could not get a shot
right into the whole flock, (or herd, as the tailor called them,) and
perhaps kill three or four at once.
As said, so done; he first laid aside the cumbersome pouch, and then
crept on his knees and left arm, holding the fowling-piece in the right,
over stems and roots towards the designated spot.
One circumstance was unfortunate: there was a very disagreeable odour
there, for the body of the dead cow had already begun to pass into
putrefaction. Von Schwanthal wondered, too, what in the world the
turkeys could be about in such a noxious neighbourhood; but there was
not much time left for reflection, he had to advance quickly, so that
his booty might not escape; and, sure enough, actually, yonder, on and
beside the dead animal, there sat about twenty hens, large, strong
birds, some of which were looking carefully round, with their long
necks, and others--strange!--were pecking at the carrion.
"Thou hast never read about that in any natural history!" thought Von
Schwanthal, to himself. "Turkeys and carrion!--wonderful!" But he did
not waste the precious time in these hasty reflections, but slid, as
fast as he could go over such rough ground, towards a thick cypress,
from behind which he hoped to get a capital shot at the whole flock of
turkeys. And, lo! he actually succeeded to reach the wished-for position
without being observed, or, at all events, without being heeded,
although he made noise enough, and some of the birds must have heard
him, for they separated themselves from the rest, and looked very
attentively, with heads sagely inclined on one side, in the direction
where he stood, hidden by the tree.
But now the favourable moment appeared to him to have arrived to make
sure of his booty; without further delay, therefore, he raised the gun,
levelled, and fired the charge of shot right into the midst of the
flock.
The turkeys took wing--rose higher and higher--then flew in circles
round and round the place from whence they had been so suddenly and so
roughly scared. But one of them, which had received several grains of
shot, and just retained sufficient strength to raise himself to the
lower bough of a neighbouring oak, settled there, flapped his wings once
or twice, and then fell down again, from his elevated perch, dead.
Von Schwanthal shook his head. The turkey fell very light for so heavy a
bird. But his companions left him no time for reflection.
"Hurrah!" exclaimed Meier, as he sprang forward, and raised up one of
the slain; "hurrah! now we've got a roast!--Oh, geminy! what a stench
there is here!"
"But that _was_ a shot!" said the brewer. "Five at once!--and such
creatures! If one could get such a shot every day, I should go shooting
myself."
Von Schwanthal had lifted up the one which had fallen by its naked head,
and weighed it in his hand.
"Remarkably light!" said he.
"Why, that bird has the head of an eagle!" exclaimed Becher, who had now
also joined them. "Why, that's a singular creature!"
"But are they turkeys, after all?" asked Siebert, junior.
"Well, what else should they be!" opined the shoemaker. "They're
certainly not partridges!"
"But not turkeys, for all that," said, with a laugh, Pastor Hehrmann,
who had, in the meantime, examined them more narrowly. "My dear M. Von
Schwanthal, I am afraid that you have shot carrion vultures for
turkeys!"
"Well, what next, I should like to know!" said the tailor; who, as he
had been the first to give tongue, felt his dignity much hurt by this
remark. "If those are not turkeys, you may call me 'Donkey!'"
"Then we must set about christening you afresh," smiled Hehrmann; "for
these are buzzards--and probably of that kind which are called the
turkey-buzzard, from their resemblance to the turkey. Don't take hold of
them, M. Von Schwanthal, you won't be able to get rid of the smell!"
"Yes," declared the brewer, "they do stink--that's a fact!"
"It struck me as very strange," said Von Schwanthal, shaking his head,
"directly I saw the creatures seated on the carrion. But they're
strikingly like turkeys!--Good Heavens!"
As Von Schwanthal uttered this exclamation, he started back in surprise,
and had, in fact, cause for wonder; for before him, with the most
amiable smile upon his benevolent countenance, stood no other than Dr.
Normann! he who, ever since the settlement had been in existence, had
been abused and cursed a thousand times, by almost everybody, and to
whom the Oldenburghers, in particular, had vowed death, if he should
ever come within their clutches!--yes--whose fraud had even elicited
abuse from the little tailor, who, although not in general maliciously
disposed, yet had declared "that he would pass a hot goose over the
fellow's skin, if he could catch him!"
This Doctor Normann now stood before the astonished settlers, bowing and
smiling, as though he had the best-founded claims to the gratitude of
the emigrants; and said to those next him, with the most hearty
expression of voice, whilst he held out his hand towards them--
"Well, how are you, my friends?--all well and hearty?--that's the chief
thing! How d'ye do, Pastor Hehrmann?--and you, my dear M. Von
Schwanthal? Ah! Mr. Meier and Mr. Schmidt--Mr. Siebert--all hearty? I am
delighted--I am really delighted!"
"Sir," said Hehrmann, who had collected himself first, "it cannot be
concealed from you that we are all a little surprised at seeing you
here, after what has occurred!"
"You thought, perhaps, that I had run away from you!" said the Doctor,
laughing. "No, no; on the contrary, you ran off from me. The boat
started half an hour earlier than the captain had told me, and----"
"To what are we to attribute the honour of this visit?" asked Pastor
Hehrmann, somewhat coldly.
"My dear Pastor," said Normann, advancing towards him, looking him full
in the face, "I can guess the cause of your coolness--the land is not
what both of us expected. But should I have returned, if I had cheated
you?"
"Well, hark ye," said Schmidt, who had hitherto stood by in
astonishment, "we have no fault to find with the quality of the
land--that's good enough; but there's not the least shadow of all the
rest of what you talked about! You must excuse me, but it was all
humbug!"
"I really cannot understand you, Doctor!" Becher interrupted the last
speaker, who was getting rather excited; "how you can dare----"
"What's the use of all this palaver with the fellow!" exclaimed one of
the Oldenburghers. "Devil burn him! he has sent us into the wilderness
here, and now he shall see how it will fare with him, since he has been
fool enough to follow us!"
"Will you listen to me, or not?" cried Dr. Normann, starting back, and
shoving his right hand under his waistcoat. "Will you condemn a man
without having heard him?--without allowing him to defend himself!"
"What is there to defend?" exclaimed the tailor. "The evil is done, and
here we are in the midst of it!"
"Will you give me ten minutes' quiet audience," asked the Doctor, "and
not interrupt me?"
"Speak on!" said Hehrmann.
"Well, I'll convince you that you wrong me, if you for a moment consider
me capable of deceiving you!"
"To the point, if you please!" said Becher.
"You shall not have long to wait," the Doctor continued. "On the very
same day on which you quitted Cincinnati, I followed in another boat,
the 'Buck-eye Belle,' and went to New Orleans. It is true, that I had
intended to have got out at the Big-Halchee first, but the captain would
not land expressly for a single passenger. In New Orleans, I of course
immediately sought out the boat in which you came down here, and
inquired after you; but learnt, to my horror, from the pilot, whom I
knew very well, the true state of affairs, and what the land in this
neighbourhood was. The pilot happened to have been hunting near this
little river last year.
"At first, I refused to believe what he told me; but he soon adduced
such convincing proofs, that I was compelled to admit to myself that I
had been imposed upon, and that you would take me for a false, deceitful
person. I could not bear that; at the same time, I could not conceal
from myself that mere excuses were inadequate, that I must _prove_ to
you that I am an innocent and honest man. But, again, to do this it was
necessary that I should recover compensation, as far as that is
possible, for the damage suffered by you; and it is on that account
chiefly--and not only to clear myself of suspicion--that I am come
hither."
"But how can you----"
"Allow me, in the first place, to introduce a friend of mine, Mr.
Trevor."
He pointed, at the same time, behind him, and the man alluded to, whose
slim form, hitherto unnoticed by anybody, was leaning against an oak,
his hat pulled down rather low over his sunburnt forehead, now raised
himself, and bowed politely to the people.
"Mr. Trevor speaks German," continued Dr. Normann, "and has accompanied
me in order to give evidence in New York (whither both of us are bound)
of the state of things here--viz., as to how far and by what means you
have been cheated by that rascally land-jobber. In a month's time, I
hope to be enabled to send you not only the full amount of the purchase
money, but a considerable sum for damages besides!"
"Then the laws, or their administration, must be very different from all
that I have heard!" replied Mr. Becher.
"Mr. Becher," exclaimed Dr. Normann, while he placed his hand on his
breast, "why should I come back to you, if I had not the intention and
prospect of making good the damage which I have brought upon you? What
other motive could have impelled me to a place where I knew before hand
that I should (with reason) be ill received?"
Pastor Hehrmann looked hard at the doctor; for a moment the thought
again flashed across his mind of the declaration to his daughter, which
he had accidentally overheard; but Normann, who had no idea that
Hehrmann had heard a word of it, and well knew, or guessed, that Bertha
would be silent on the subject of such a conversation, met the eye of
the Pastor firmly, and thus (although unknown to himself) almost
entirely effaced the quickly-raised and passing suspicion of the other.
"And you really suppose that you will be able to make that person
answerable for the fraud?" asked Becher, still incredulous.
"I not only think so, but am sure of it," said Dr. Normann; "fortunately
I have in my hands his undertaking in writing; there are witnesses
enough to it in New York, and if I bring testimony by this gentleman
what the neighbourhood here really is like, no advocate _can_ get him
off from his deserved punishment."
The emigrants, unacquainted with the administration of the law in the
United States, really began to believe the words of the man who had
enticed them thither, but who now defended himself with so ready a
tongue--particularly as one circumstance told in his favour, viz., that
some such object alone could have made his visit probable--for what
possible benefit, thought they, could any further deceit be to him.
The men, therefore, became more and more friendly and confidential, and,
before he had passed an hour beside them, their acquaintance seemed
nearly re-established on its old footing of friendship. The honest folks
could not, and would not, believe a fellow-countryman capable of such
villany, for such treachery appeared impossible to their own hearts.
One thing more remained to be done; he had to be presented to the women,
and their prejudices had also to be removed; Becher and Hehrmann
undertook this office, and walked towards the houses with him and the
strange gentleman, while Von Schwanthal with the others remained behind.
The men had mechanically withdrawn themselves from the spot where the
carrion was lying, to escape from the offensive smell; but although the
American could only with difficulty suppress a loud laugh when he caught
sight of the slaughtered buzzards, and readily guessed how these useful
creatures had met with a premature death, yet Normann, on the other
hand, carefully avoided seeming so much as to notice the strange game.
It was not his cue to raise the slightest cloud of vexation on the brow
of any one of the people, whom he had to make friends of for the
present.
Pastor Hehrmann presented the returned one to the women; honest and just
himself, he was loth to believe any one else capable of such villany,
and therefore gladly gave ear to what the doctor now told him. And,
although Bertha, at least, started and turned pale at the arrival of the
certainly unexpected guest, yet, on the other hand, Normann's behaviour
was so hearty and frank, that all willingly absolved him, and listened
and gave credence to the explanation repeated by Hehrmann. Within a few
hours it seemed as if nothing unfriendly had ever occurred, as if the
doctor had solely and merely acted so as to be deserving of all the
settlers' warmest thanks. They now only looked forward with pleasure to
the return of Siebert and Herbold, in order that they, too, might be
made acquainted with the good news; and Mrs. Hehrmann, for her part,
declared that it was quite a relief to her that she was no longer
obliged to consider Dr. Normann guilty of such a breach of friendship
and good faith.
The American was also treated with attention and heartiness by the whole
of the settlers, and although the so-called Pennsylvanian German, which
he spoke, certainly sounded rather strange to their ears at first, and
was often incomprehensible, yet they did their best to chat with him, so
that he might not suffer too much ennui.
But Mr. Trevor appeared to be particularly partial to the conversation
of Miss Bertha, who spoke a little English, and he gave himself every
possible pains to teach her the pure accent of such words as she did not
pronounce or emphasize correctly.
Dr. Normann, it is true, several times endeavoured to give him
occupation elsewhere; but he always returned to the young lady, who
appeared to be pleased with his attentions, because she thereby hoped to
escape a tête-à-tête with Dr. Normann, of whom she had a complete dread,
since the scene on the deck of the steamer.
The doctor, in the evening, tried, as far as possible, to ascertain
everything which had occurred; of course, he had to inquire into
particulars, in order to be able to proceed right vigorously and
effectually against that cheating land-shark.[21] At the same time, he
managed to get at some general acquaintance with the state of the
finances; but he could only obtain the exact particulars from Siebert
senior, whose return he therefore resolved to await, before taking any
decided step.
On the following morning, Normann wandered with his companion backwards
and forwards in the woods, under the pretence of viewing the ground, in
order to convict the New York swindler, and here the following dialogue
occurred between these two worthies:--
"When, the devil, do you mean to be off, Normann? What's the use of
frittering away our precious time here?"
"We can't get away yet," objected the doctor; "how are we to get the
girls to the river quickly enough to be safe from pursuit?"
"Don't talk such stuff," said the American, with a laugh; "which of the
Dutchmen is to follow us through the woods without losing himself
directly, so that he won't be able to find his own track again? No, by
Jove, that matter would not give me the least uneasiness: I vote for
carrying off the girl, as soon as we can entice her a rifle-shot's range
from the shanties, and that, it is to be hoped, will be no difficult
matter; I shall think of something that will raise her curiosity."
"She appears to please you?"
"She's a glorious girl!"
"Turner, don't forget our agreement!" said Normann, with a voice of
grave exhortation, for a strange uncomfortable feeling now, for the
first time, crept over him: the suspicion that perhaps his accomplice
might deceive him at last.
"Why, of course, I recollect our agreement," laughed Turner; "but
perhaps you're jealous? Ha, ha, ha! that's a good one! Do you suppose
then that if _I_ had wanted a girl, I need have taken a journey of seven
hundred miles down the river for her? Nonsense! It amuses me to get
through the summer in this way, for in Cincinnati there is nothing more
for me."
"Had the Italian to pay his footing? Hang it, man, I shan't betray you,
at all events!--and yet I've put the question ten times to you already
in vain!"
"Why do you put it at all?--it must be all one to you," growled Turner,
angrily; "'tis always better not to talk too much about such things.
But, I don't care. Yes, I believe that he may probably remember me
awhile. But the journey down stream came very opportunely; I was only
afraid that the cursed sailing boat would have overtaken us. Confound
the fellows! the wind blew remarkably fresh--a few hours more, and----"
"The Ohio makes too many bends," said the worthy doctor, smiling; "a
sailing-boat never can overtake a steamer on it; but I really think it
would be better for us to await the return of the others, who, as Pastor
Hehrmann told us, are to bring horses and cattle with them. On
horseback, the affair could be much more easily managed, for, after all,
Turner, it would be rather too much of a good thing to carry the great
girls fifteen miles through the woods."
"We can take turns."
"I thought we were to carry off _both_?" said the doctor, on the watch.
Turner, who wished, at present to avoid everything which might arouse
the doctor's suspicions, immediately answered this question in the
affirmative, and exclaimed, laughing--"Well, of course, you are
right--we will wait for the horses, unless a favourable opportunity
should meanwhile occur to entice both girls towards the Mississippi,
which certainly might be difficult."
"If any body should find our boat yonder?" said the doctor, "that would
be a cursed go!"
"Indeed it would," said Turner, musingly; "that would be unlucky, and
might be attended with yet more unlucky consequences; but I can scarcely
think it likely; Scipio, you know, is beside it, and I have hid him
out-and-out well. Besides, it's a German, too, they say, who lives at
the mouth of the Big Halchee, and that being so, we need scarcely
apprehend discovery from that quarter."
"Well, well, don't think so ill of the Germans either," said Normann,
warningly; "there are some among them who are not behind a thorough
backwoodsman in tracking."
"I'll tell you what, Normann," exclaimed Turner, abruptly, as he stood
still, and looked at the rivulet, on whose banks they just then were; "I
really believe that we can get the boat up here; then the affair would
be child's play."
"Not so safe as you suppose, Turner; the Big Halchee makes innumerable
windings, and if they cut them off, they can get on faster on shore than
we on water."
"They must first know that we had gone by water; the Big Halchee has
only risen since the day before yesterday--since the dreadful rains--and
I don't think that up to that time it would have borne even a canoe.
I'll tell you what, Normann, it may be a week or a fortnight before they
return with the horses, and to wait till then will make the matter too
tedious; besides, I haven't time to wait so long; therefore you remain
here, say that I'm gone hunting, following a bear's track, if you like,
and meanwhile I'll return quickly to the Mississippi. If the Halchee is
navigable, why, I'll be back again by to-morrow evening, perhaps before,
and then nothing more will interrupt our flight; then cunning and force
must help us; if it is not navigable, why, I'll bring up the boat as far
as possible, and we may still, perhaps, save ourselves some miles of our
land journey."
Normann willingly agreed to this plan, for it not only facilitated the
execution of this shameful piece of scoundrelism, but also removed his
accomplice so long from the neighbourhood of the object of their
treachery.
It required only a little further confederacy, and, after a brief
farewell, Turner threw the rifle over his shoulder, and soon disappeared
in the bush; while Normann returned slowly and musingly to the settlers.
The excuse for Turner's absence was readily received by them, and Von
Schwanthal only lamented that he had not heard of it soon enough to
accompany him. Normann, meanwhile, who, according to his own assurance,
had also lived much in the woods, and consequently was acquainted with
agriculture as well as the management of cattle, gave himself every
conceivable pains to teach the men as well as the women a number of
little contrivances, which those only who live in the woods find out by
degrees.
The fever, too, had attacked several of them, although the general state
of health was, on the whole, still tolerable. Normann gave them
excellent instructions for this, too, and showed them several medicinal
herbs growing in the woods, whose uses he taught them. He behaved
himself so well, took such endless trouble, and was so civil and polite
to all, that even Bertha, towards whom, alone, he observed a rather
distant behaviour, began to feel herself more at ease in his society, as
she could not but think that he was cured of his love for her, and only
wished to do everything in his power to render those inconveniences into
which the settlers had been plunged, unfortunately, by his means, as
light as possible.
He was particularly friendly and attentive to Louisa, Bertha's sister,
and her junior by a few years, and two days thus passed with surprising
rapidity.
On the second evening after the conversation last detailed, the greater
part of the settlers were seated close together before the principal
dwelling, which, situated in the midst of several smaller
dwelling-places, and subdivided by partitions, had to serve as a
sleeping-place for most of them until they should have furnished the
remaining houses. Several small fires, lighted in a circle, and fed with
decayed wood, gave out a thick smoke, and served to keep off the
otherwise too troublesome mosquitoes, and the doctor had just concluded
a highly interesting story about the catching of wild horses on the
western prairies, when the bushes rustled, and the American stepped
towards them. He was heavily laden, and laid down the young stag which
he bore on his shoulders, at Bertha's feet, but declared that he had not
been able to overtake the bear whose tracks he had followed.
Normann watched his looks, to guess whether the attempt had been
successful or not, but the American was too wily to expose himself to
the possibility of a discovery, if any one of the persons present should
notice any sign, and therefore remained quite unconscious, answered Von
Schwanthal's questions in the most circumstantial manner, related a
number of hunting anecdotes, laughed and joked, and altogether did as
though there were no such person as Dr. Normann in existence.
It was not until they retired together to their sleeping-places, that he
whispered lowly to the latter--
"The boat lies scarcely five hundred yards from hence, safely hid; and
to-morrow they must be ours."
FOOTNOTE:
[21] Those persons, in the sea-port towns, who make it their business to
sell fraudulently bad land to the newly arrived, are usually styled
land-sharks.
CHAPTER VII.
THE FLIGHT.
Wolfgang, Herbold, and the elder Siebert, had gone off to the hills, in
order to purchase from a farmer there, whom Wolfgang knew, such horses
and cattle as they stood in need of for the moment, and which, if they
should sell or leave that place within a short period, might either be
driven on board of a steamer and so sent to the nearest town, or even be
taken with them to their new place of abode.
Their journey had been anything but agreeable, for on the very first day
it began to rain, and, during seventeen successive hours, it had never
ceased from pouring. The swampy ground, damp at all times, became almost
impassable, and besides they were frightened by tempests, which passed
over their heads, with bright flashes of lightning, and loud peals of
thunder, and that in such rapid succession, that the sound of one peal
had not died away, before another already rendered them uneasy about
their safety.
Siebert was especially frightened, and although, at first, he
endeavoured to conceal it, as well as he could, yet, in the course of
the day, he was unable to keep up this disguise, for the thunder and
lightning seemed to have no end; he therefore candidly acknowledged his
fears, and affirmed that it must be a presentiment that he should be
struck by lightning.
Wolfgang laughed. "No, my dear Mr. Siebert, do not make yourself
uneasy; the old belief, that lightning prefers to strike trees, and
other high objects, is certainly well founded, and with us in the woods,
here, it always lights upon a tree; indeed, I should like to know where
else it is to go to; it would be quite a feat for it to pass into the
earth, without striking one of them. No, I have heard of a good number
of accidents, by falling trees or branches, under which men have been
buried, or at least crippled, and cattle, more particularly, are often
thus destroyed, but I have never yet heard of a man having been struck
by lightning, at least, not in the woods. In the hills, there are a kind
of natural lightning conductors, I mean the hickories or white walnut
trees, although the inconstant fluid not unfrequently has its joke with
some old oak. But it prefers the former tree, and I have found them
split down to the very roots. But if I am not mistaken, we are
approaching the hills, the rushes become thinner, and the soil is
getting undulating. Now we have the prospect of surprising my friend at
home this evening, and there we may rest ourselves for a day, to make up
for our exertions."
Wolfgang had concluded correctly; the last slope of the hills stretched
to where they stood, and thenceforward their road became better, as they
forsook the swampy hollows, and remained at the border of the higher
land.
The farm of Stevenson (the name of Wolfgang's friend) lay, according to
his calculation, about five miles further off; but it was not until
nearly evening that they reached the fence, and with it the boundary of
a well-cultivated field of Indian corn, more than ten acres in extent,
before which Herbold stood still, quite surprised and delighted.
Wolfgang, however, did not leave him much time to look about him, but
hurried his companions on towards the house, so as to enable them to dry
themselves, and to get something warm, for he feared that the other two,
not yet inured to the climate, might not escape with a mere cold, but
perhaps get the fever or ague.
Stevenson received them hospitably and heartily; his daughters set
about making some good, strong, warm coffee for them directly, while his
wife got out everything in the shape of clothes, either old or new, and
ere long, the wet and hungry wanderers were seated, dry and refreshed,
before a warm fire, so that even Herbold confessed that he had not felt
more comfortable for many a year past.
Indeed, Stevenson's family seemed to be a pattern of American domestic
life;--the interior of the house, simple, it is true, and even poor, was
as bright and clean as one could have wished it; the utensils shone and
glittered again, and the mother with her two grown-up daughters, clad in
the homespun grey of the western forests, looked like the ideal of a
worthy matron, surrounded and supported by youth and beauty. The
strangers soon felt happy in their neighbourhood, and it only required a
few words of encouragement to make them move about with as much freedom
and ease as though they were at home in their own houses.
The storm which had so vexed them, and wetted them to the skin, like all
other things in this world, had its bright side, too, for it had driven
in the cattle towards the protecting dwellings of man, instead of
wandering about the woods in all directions, as they otherwise would
have been. Cows and horses stood in peaceful agreement, side by side,
and licked the salt which a little fair-haired boy strewed for them,
upon troughs hollowed out and fixed for the purpose, with an eagerness
and enjoyment which told distinctly enough how long they had been
deprived of it, and how fond they were of it. A small flock of sheep,
with their leader, a stately ram, also approached, but the protector of
the cows, a stout, broad-shouldered bull, did not seem particularly to
relish his company, and lowered his sinewy neck towards him, and pawed
the ground threateningly with his foot. The ram, on the other hand, who
did not like to be looked upon as a coward before all his dames, and to
forfeit the respect which he considered his due, also assumed a hostile
attitude, bent down his head, and ran full tilt, carrying the war into
the enemy's territory, at his hundred-fold superior adversary, so that
the latter was quite taken aback, and merely awaited the attack with
horns pointed down.
But the ram was too wide awake to let himself into a quarrel where he
undoubtedly must come off second best, and therefore, when he found
himself close before the bull, he turned suddenly off to the right,
bringing a couple of cows between himself and his antagonist, called his
own little flock together by a peculiar bleat, and in the next moment
was on his way to the woods with it; so that the deluded bull, when at
last, he threw up his powerful head in defiance, to see what had become
of the threatened attack, saw no enemy in his vicinity, and could only
express his contempt by a loud, hollow bellow, and by a little sand
which he scraped up and threw in the eyes of a couple of cows.
Herbold had looked on at the whole game with much pleasure, and now
turned to his friendly host with the question, whether sheep were
advantageous and profitable stock in the backwoods.
"No," said he, "at least I have not found them so. The stock, of course,
like the rest of our cattle, have to run about wild in the woods, and
although the wolves rarely venture on a young calf, yet they persecute
the sheep considerably; it is, therefore, only possible to preserve a
flock if one has a good ram beside it."
"And do you really think that a ram can bid defiance to the wolves?"
asked Herbold, surprised.
"Yes; I not only think so, but am certain of it," replied Stevenson;
"they place themselves in a posture of defence, go round and round the
flock, and constantly threaten the wolf with their attack, of which he
is particularly afraid."
"But when several wolves are together, as no doubt is often the case?"
"The wolf is very cowardly," continued the old farmer; "he seldom
ventures on an open attack, and is fearful of resistance. I am firmly
convinced that a single sheep could drive away the large black wolf of
the woods--to say nothing of the little, grey, prairie wolves--if it
would advance resolutely upon him, and make a feigned attack or two.
But, as sheep, after all, are but sheep, why, this is not often
attempted; they try to fly, and Mr. Wolf seizes them by the collar. But
that is not the only thing which interferes with the raising of sheep,
there are other circumstances with which we have to contend. In
consequence of their running about in the woods unrestrained, their wool
gets full of burrs, and it would be still worse were we to keep them in
fields or fenced places, where the burrs are yet more abundant; it is
therefore out of the question, to wash the sheep before shearing them.
That is the reason why, although there is pasture in abundance, we keep
comparatively few sheep, and even those few, we should do away with, if
our wives were not obliged to use a little wool, to weave and to spin
clothes for themselves and us."
"Strange that wolves persecute sheep so everywhere!" said Herbold, with
a sagacious shake of the head; "they are natural enemies, no doubt, and
the sheep must be aware of it, and dread their worriers."
"Don't suppose that," observed Stevenson; "strange to say, the thing is
originally quite the reverse. I have experienced it several times
myself. When I have removed to an unsettled district, which, be it said
in passing, has been several times the case, I have not lost a single
sheep during the first few months, sometimes even during the whole first
year, and that surprised me the more as I found everywhere in the
neighbourhood frequent tracks of wolves. At a subsequent period, I was
once accidentally witness to the cause of their being so strangely
spared, and which had already been mentioned to me by various
neighbours. I was standing on the look out for an old buck that had
passed that way, and from the spot where I had hid myself, could
overlook a little plain below me, where my flock, then consisting of but
seven ewes and a ram, was pasturing. Suddenly a wolf broke out from a
neighbouring thicket, and was about to pass across the open space. But
he certainly must have fallen in with the sheep for the first time then,
and they must have appeared very strange to him, for just as I thought
that he would select one for his breakfast, and was on that account
about to step forward to hinder him, he halted, scented them, advanced
timidly a step nearer, and suddenly, when one of the ewes turned round
towards him, fled, with rapid bounds, into the cover of the thicket. He
was afraid of the creatures which were as yet unknown to him, and it was
only in the course of time, perhaps when driven by pinching hunger, that
these wolves tasted the first mutton. Thenceforth, it is true, there was
an end to safety; the ravenous beasts of prey soon learned how timid and
inoffensive that alarming-looking animal was, and how sweet its flesh,
and from that time forward did much havoc among the peaceable
woolcoats."
"But, as the wolf liked the taste of the flesh," said Herbold, "so also
might you rear them yourselves, for the sake of the meat."
"We don't like it much," Stevenson replied; "the fare of the
backwoodsman is Johnny cake, or Indian corn bread, and pork, and on that
he lives and thrives. We but rarely slaughter a bullock and cure the
meat, for the sake of a change; for it is dry eating, and deer and
turkeys generally serve the turn."
"Is there much game here?"
"Pretty well. He who knows where to seek for it can always find
something, and need not come home empty handed, for if there are no deer
to be had, he can get squirrels."
"Squirrels?" asked Herbold, in astonishment.
"Yes, yes, squirrels," said the farmer, smiling; "when you've been
awhile in the country, you'll come to relish squirrels too; they are
very good eating, especially the grey ones."
"But what do you shoot the squirrels with? I see nothing but rifles
here."
"Well, what else should we shoot them with?" asked the other, surprised
in his turn; "not with those smooth-bored shot guns, that shoot away a
handful of lead into the air, besides spoiling flesh and fur? No,
indeed. We have small bored rifles on purpose for such small game, and
with those we can fetch down the agile leapers from out of the loftiest
tree tops, where indeed your shot guns would not carry the charge at
all."
"Do your cattle come home regularly, then?"
"Oh no; sometimes a single herd will remain away for months, and pasture
ten or twelve miles from home beside other watercourses, and then we
have to go after them, seek them out, and salt them."
"Salt them?" exclaimed the German, astonished.
"You are surprised at that," said Stevenson, with a smile; "but of
course you are not yet acquainted with the management of cattle in the
woods of the West. Well, I can give you at least some idea of it in a
few words.
"Our chief wealth, if a poor devil like myself may be permitted to talk
of wealth, consists in cattle--viz., horned cattle, horses, and hogs,
for as to the sheep they are a mere trifle. But how is it possible that
a man should keep large flocks and herds, who perhaps scarcely grows
more corn than suffices to keep his own family in bread? Stall feeding
is, therefore, out of the question, if, indeed, we had sheds. The woods,
on the other hand, are full of the most valuable cattle food; in spring
and summer, the beautiful grass--in the fall, the pea-vine and wild
oats--in winter, the sweet leaves of the reeds in the reed brakes. It
would be folly, with such abundance of food, to think of growing corn
for cattle, for the hogs also have more in the shape of roots and acorns
than they can get through. We, therefore, rear as much live stock as we
can, and trust to Providence to feed it.
"But to prevent them from straying, we have a means which hardly ever
fails of attaching them to the spot where they get it. I refer to salt.
Horses, cows, and hogs, are all alike passionately fond of it, and to
strew salt at certain periods on fixed places is almost sure to bring
them back to those spots."
"Don't single heads of cattle sometimes stray?"
"Oh, certainly; sometimes small herds do so, and become wild, but that
can't be helped; others grow up in their stead, and the loss is made up
again."
"Wild animals destroy many, too; do they not?"
"Many!--no. The bear sometimes makes havoc among the hogs, but his hide
must generally pay the damage; and if the panther occasionally tears to
pieces a calf or a foal, yet after all it does not amount to much;
others grow up."
"According to our notions of cattle breeding it would signify a good
deal if a panther should destroy a calf or a foal," said Herbold, with a
laugh, "but I perceive the thing is carried on upon a larger scale here.
You have many cattle?"
"Pretty well," replied the farmer, "about two hundred head in all,
counting cows and calves as one. But I am thinking of going westward,
and want to sell them."
"What, forsake your farm!" exclaimed the German, astonished. "Why? Is
the land not good, or is the neighbourhood unhealthy?"
"Oh, not for that; the land is capital, and we have no cause to complain
much of sickness; a little ague, now and then; but that arises from the
neighbourhood of the swamps, and it doesn't last long."
"But why do you wish to remove, then?"
"Well, I don't exactly know, but as I have heard the land hereabouts is
to be surveyed----"
"And that is your reason? I should have thought that would have been
acceptable to you."
"As you like to take it, pleasant or unpleasant; pleasant because one
then gets to know whereabout to look for one's own land, and where one
may, here and there, have the chance of buying good pieces to add to it;
but unpleasant because I should have to pay for it now, and for the same
money I could get just as good land further to the west, and much more
of it, and perhaps also better cattle. Here I get at present a pretty
good price for all that I have, and if a couple of years were only over
one's head, and the settlements in this neighbourhood so thick as to
impede a man in his free movements"----
"Good gracious!" Herbold interrupted him; "why, you haven't a single
neighbour within nine miles' distance, as you yourself just now
admitted."
"Yet the time is not so very distant," continued Stevenson, without
noticing the objection, "when we may have towns upon towns along the
margin of the swamp, and I had rather go out of the way of the people;
the air of towns doesn't agree with me."
"Well, Heaven be praised!" said the other, laughing, "you haven't much
to complain of on that score; the nearest town, as Wolfgang told me, is
ten miles distant, and consists of five houses."
"And I shouldn't like any nearer," said the farmer.
"There is another thing which I wished to ask you; how, in the name of
wonder, do you manage with the milch kine? You must place them at all
events under shelter, and feed them, otherwise you can get no milk."
"We can manage that much more simply," was the reply; "we drive home the
calves when we find them in the woods, and the cows, of course, come
with them. The cow is milked at the homestead, and afterwards driven out
of the clearing. During the first night she does not like to go away,
but she is driven by hunger to go at last, seeks her food, and comes
home regularly to be milked, and to see her calf."
"Certainly that is a convenient mode of keeping milking cows; and the
calf remains all day long in a shed?"
"Shed! we don't know such a word here. Whoever may happen to have a
stallion may perhaps keep him in a log-house built on purpose, differing
in nowise from our own ordinary dwellings, except that it has no boarded
floor, nor chimney, but otherwise we don't require those kind of
buildings."
"Well, thus much I can see," Herbold now expressed his opinion; "there
is no great art in raising cattle here; one has only to drive them out,
and scarcely trouble oneself further about them."
"There," said Wolfgang, who had now joined them, and had heard the last
remark, "you fall into an error common with emigrants from Europe. They
go from one extreme to the other, and believe that, because in their own
country they have so much trouble with stall feeding, and are obliged to
conduct everything with so much care, therefore that here they have
nothing further to do, for instance, than to drive out a breeding sow
into the woods, in order to have a drove of some hundred hogs arrive
some three or four years after. No, no; one must not neglect cattle here
either, but must look after it, else they get wild, and become worse
than deer or rabbits."
"I don't know what Wolfgang means by extremes, or what extremes are, but
in other respects he has hit it exactly. One has to drive about in the
woods for many a long day to get the creatures together, and when that
is done they never will remain where they are wanted. But you were
saying that you wanted to buy some cows and horses; if you do, you
couldn't have pitched upon a better time than just the present; my best
cows are here, and there is not one of the horses missing."
"Certainly, we wish to buy both cattle and horses," said Siebert, who
now also joined in the conversation; "that was just the cause of our
coming hither; but in making our bargain we must rely implicitly upon
Mr. Wolfgang and yourself, for----"
"Mr. Wolfgang understands the thing thoroughly," the old American
interrupted him, laughing; "we have transacted many a piece of business
together. He and his wife--by-the-bye, Wolfgang, how is your wife? she
suffered much from the fever lately."
"It is well with her," said the young man, turning half aside; "she is
dead."
"Dead! dear me! and we never heard a word of it, so that we might----"
"Don't press the subject," said the young man, deprecatingly; "the
distance between this and the river is great, how could you hear of it?
Besides, these worthy people helped me kindly with the burial. But," he
continued, while he passed his hands lightly across his eyes, "I think
it is better for me, and for all of us, if we let alone the melancholy
past. We have business to attend to, and activity is the best
preservative against sorrow."
"But your wife----" said Stevenson.
"Was an angel," Wolfgang interrupted him, in a low voice, "and I shall
never, never forget her, so long as this poor heart beats; still, do me
the favour not to wake the old sorrow. I have, Heaven knows! suffered
enough already.--When are you going to clear out, Stevenson?"
The old man reached him his hand in silence, grasped heartily that which
was offered him, and then changed his tone, in order not to sadden his
friend yet more.
"It will be next year first," said he, as he drew one of his large
mastiffs towards him, and patted his head; "there are always on those
occasions so many things to look after, that one hardly knows where to
begin or when one has done, and as I have got to cross the Mississippi,
why I intend to take my time, and to get done with it all at once. To go
back such a distance for something forgotten would be too tedious. How
many cattle will you have--a hundred perhaps? The more you can get at
first, the more advantageous for you, for the more rapidly and the more
numerously does it increase, and it costs you little or nothing."
"That is very true," Wolfgang now took up the discourse; "if one is
minded to stay in the place, or at all events in the neighbourhood where
one is; but I would by no means advise the gentlemen to do that. The
soil is good, but the location is unhealthy, and it will be fortunate
for them if they can stand it during the summer; next fall they must
seek out a healthier climate, and much cattle would only be an
incumbrance to them. Where do you go to?"
"Into the Ozark Hills; but why will you not at once quit this part of
the country, if you are already firmly convinced that you will not
remain here long? I should go at once, for time here is money. Calculate
merely the produce in cattle that you would gain by it."
"You are right," Siebert now said; "but where are we to find a
neighbourhood directly that would suit us, particularly as we are
unacquainted with the country; and then a removal with such a number of
people is easier spoken of than executed."
"And how we have worked at our place already!" suggested Herbold; "how
many trees have we felled!"
"Well, well, that would be the least part of the business," smiled
Stevenson; "there can't be so very many in three weeks; besides, all
that is not lost, it has been useful to you for practice, and cannot
prove otherwise than beneficial hereafter. But I quite agree with Mr.
Wolfgang. If you are not unanimous among yourselves whether to stay or
go, as it almost seems to me is the case, why then only take some four
or five milch kine and calves, so that you may have milk for the
children and the sick, at all events three or four horses besides, and
no hogs, they would only be a plague to you, and let that suffice for
your beginning in cattle management."
Siebert and Herbold fully agreed with this, and with the assistance of
Wolfgang and Stevenson selected such of the cows as appeared the best;
then chose three horses, small but sturdy ponies, such as are
serviceable in the woods, and, on the fourth morning after their
departure from home, they had concluded everything with such good
fortune, and so much more quickly than they had expected, that they were
ready to think about their march back. But they first strolled, with old
Stevenson, through all his fields and improvements, and Herbold
especially was much astonished at a style of farming of which he had, up
to that time, had no conception.
The Indian corn field claimed his chief attention, for although the
emigrants, on their journey by canal through Ohio, had already seen
fields with rail fences, yet that had always been in the more settled
districts, and the fields really looked like fields. But here everything
was more in its primeval state, and although the fences had been put up
durably and well, yet in the interior there stood almost as many stumps
and large girdled trees as there were stalks of corn. It remained an
inexplicable riddle to Herbold how any human being could plough among
those stumps and roots, for such a field, containing, at least, ten
German morgens, or about twenty English acres, could not be tilled with
the spade; yet the furrows seemed regular and straight. The plough
unquestionably had done it, and Stevenson showed them one without
wheels,[22] so as to allow the ploughman to draw it out before every
root, to lift it out of the way of stumps of trees, and by pressing or
easing it let it go shallower or deeper.
The old American explained to them the culture of the Indian corn, which
was very simple, and conducted them between the rows of stalks,
frequently from ten to twelve feet high, and which, with their heavy
cobs, and drooping, dry, silky little bushes, or flags, presented a
stately, and to the eye of the husbandman, most grateful appearance.
The stalks stood, as is customary, upon little mounds or hillocks, quite
four feet apart, so as to leave full play for the leaves, and pumpkins
or water melons had been sown between them, and throve amazingly,
especially the former, which, in some instances, had reached an
extraordinary size.
"What, in the name of Heaven, do you do with all these pumpkins?" asked
Mr. Siebert, in astonishment, "why, there are actually enough to victual
a whole colony."
"Pumpkins," said Stevenson, "are, properly speaking, one of the most
useful things which a farmer can sow; horses and cows eat them eagerly,
hogs will let themselves be beaten to death for them, and they are one
of the most healthy and nourishing articles of food for mankind which we
possess here in Tennessee, or indeed throughout the whole west of
America.
"For mankind, too?"
"Yes, certainly; but by the time that you have got your fields cleared
you will have learnt that yourselves. Pumpkins, boiled down fresh, make
a capital preserve, of course not so delicate as plums or peaches, and
when dried they yield an excellent winter vegetable, which I, at least,
prefer to any other."
"And do they only grow Indian corn in this neighbourhood--no cotton, no
tobacco?" asked Mr. Siebert; "the climate is assuredly mild enough."
"Mild enough, certainly. In the states lying north of this, immense
quantities of tobacco, and even of cotton, are raised, and consequently,
those plants would thrive still better in this more southern Tennessee;
but, for the culture of cotton, as well as of tobacco, a great number of
hands are required, and black hands if possible; slaves, on the one
hand, to get in the harvest--that is, pluck the cotton itself--on the
other, to attend to the picking of the small tobacco worm. A farmer who
is restricted to his own family cannot attempt to raise those sorts of
things, or at least can raise sufficient only for his own use. Else it
is sure to be a failure, if the crop is not a total loss."
"But how is it with cereals?"
"Why, those might be more practicable, and here and there they are
cultivated with extraordinary success, but Indian corn is better for
cattle food,[23] and we always prefer it. Another inconvenience of
these smaller grains is the bread; we have no suitable mills for it, and
on that account alone must content ourselves with Indian corn. In the
eastern and northern states, it is of course somewhat different; there
they grow wheat and oats, and I am firmly convinced that in the whole
course of your journey through New York and Ohio, or Pennsylvania
States, whichever way you may have come, you did not get any Indian corn
bread, or set eyes upon it."
Siebert and Herbold confirmed this; but Wolfgang had meanwhile busily
occupied himself in tapping with his bent forefinger against several of
the largest and ripest watermelons, to seek out the best of them for
eating, as they could not remain much longer, but must return to their
settlement.
All three accordingly followed his example, and now sought, heavily
laden, the shadow of the house, there to enjoy the melons at their
leisure.
Mrs. Stevenson had meanwhile prepared an ample and excellent dinner,
such a one as is only to be met with in the woods, so that the fresh
comers, who besides had not been much used to dainties latterly,
acknowledged with animation that they had not made such a meal for a
long time.
Game, turkey, and fat pork formed the "pièces de resistance," the heavy
artillery as it were, and preserved pumpkin, beans, sweet potatoes,
honey, and milk the by-meats. All was prepared simply but well, and the
men did justice to it. But after the meal, Wolfgang again urged their
departure, and although Herbold (who began to like the place very much)
would have willingly passed at least that day there, yet he gave way to
the wish of their conductor. Mounting the horses, therefore, which they
had bargained for, they bade a hearty farewell to the family of the
worthy old Stevenson, and commenced their homeward journey, driving the
cows and calves before them. Stevenson also promised shortly to look
them up in their new settlement, perhaps within that very week, to make
the acquaintance of his new neighbours, as he called them.
But, although they were now mounted, they scarcely advanced more quickly
than they had done before on foot, for to drive cows through the woods
is a task which, as the Americans say, teaches even methodists to swear,
and which certainly offers many difficulties to the tyro. Besides this,
Mr. Siebert knew little or nothing about riding, and had trouble enough
to keep his seat, owing to the many leaps which the horse was obliged to
make over prostrate stems of trees or swampy spots. He had, therefore,
to keep in the centre, while Wolfgang and Herbold rode on either wing,
in order, not only to make the cattle move on by shouting and swinging
their hats, but also to drive back, from thicket and swamp, into the
prescribed track, the stragglers, which were constantly straying.
We will not stop to inquire how often, while thus engaged, Siebert and
Herbold were dragged from their horses by dangling creeping plants and
vines, or lost their seats by sudden shying, or stumbling, or leaping of
their beasts, and kissed the earth any way but gently. They progressed
very slowly with their charge, and it was near sunset of the second day
before they reached the neighbourhood of the settlement, and heard the
strokes of the workmen's axes at regular intervals.
* * * * *
But it is high time that we should return to the settlement once more,
where those two villains were steadily progressing towards the execution
of their criminal plan. But as Normann wished to await the return of
Siebert, senior, he and Turner assisted the emigrants with their work,
partly to pass the time, but partly, also, in order to restore their
former friendly footing more and more. The settlers had thus just
concluded two new fenced inclosures, wherein the expected horses and
cows were to be kept, for they could not yet make up their minds that
the cattle should be allowed to run at liberty in the woods all the
winter.
Even Hehrmann, who, as he could not forget the last scene on board the
steamer, had carefully observed Normann the first day or two, appeared
to allow his suspicions to be lulled, when he noted his open and candid
behaviour. One could plainly see in every one of the doctor's movements
how much afflicted he was that he should have been the cause of a
company of Germans--of people who were his friends--being cheated and
defrauded, and how he now strained every nerve to repair, as far as lay
in his power, the evil, although it had not been caused by his own act.
He had, on that very day even, assured Hehrmann and Becher, that not
only did he not entertain the slightest doubt, but that, indeed, he was
firmly convinced, that the rascally land-jobber could be successfully
brought to account.
The settlers had succeeded, with the assistance of the doctor and the
American, in laying "the worm," as the lower row of rails laid in
zig-zag is called, and to erect the whole fence faultlessly, so that Mr.
Becher, when he surveyed the successful work with self-satisfied look,
observed, smilingly, that now the drovers might arrive as soon as they
pleased with their beasts, and that Wolfgang would stare to see such a
workmanlike performance, as he had before hazarded an opinion that
probably he should have to pull the fence down again, if it were not
firm enough.
"Wolfgang!" said Dr. Normann, who now heard his name for the first time,
inasmuch as hitherto, when the absent had been spoken of, only Siebert
and Herbold had been named. "Wolfgang!--the name sounds quite German;
does that gentleman belong to your association?"
"He is a German settler," Becher answered, "to whom the cordwood beside
the Mississippi belongs, which you probably noticed piled up."
"Has he also lately come over from Germany?" asked Normann, and that
with more interest than might have been expected about a stranger.
"No, he formerly lived in Arkansas," was the answer, "and probably has
been some years here in Tennessee."
"A singular case," said Trevor (or Turner) in the Pennsylvanian
dialect--"a very singular case, that a Backwoodsman should clear out
eastward; an American never would have done that."
Normann was silent, and cast his eyes on the ground; but an attentive
observer might have noticed that within a few minutes he had changed
countenance very much, and was actually quite pale. The settlers,
however, were too much taken up with their new fence, to heed him, and
it was only when Normann, after exchanging some words with Turner in a
low tone, was preparing to leave for the houses, that Hehrmann noticed
the change in his features, and exclaimed jocularly--
"There you see, Doctor, you have over-exerted yourself; this kind of
work affects persons who are not accustomed to it, over much; you look
deadly pale."
The doctor explained it away, by attributing it to a headache, but
affirmed that a short walk would do him good, and, taking Turner's arm,
he walked with him towards the houses which were near at hand.
"We must go," he exclaimed, as soon as they had got out of ear-shot of
the labourers--"we must be off; we have not a moment to spare, for any
instant may bring back those men."
"What men?" asked the American, surprised.
"Those who are gone to fetch the cattle and horses," said Normann,
looking suspiciously round.
"Well, who the devil is to understand you? first, you plague and insist
upon waiting until this Liebert, or Siebert, as he is called, shall come
back, and talk of nothing but riding off, so as to get away more
conveniently, and now it almost seems as though you were afraid of the
arrival of those whom you were so eagerly waiting for. What ails you?"
"You shall learn all," replied the doctor--"I have no need to keep back
a secret of that description from _you_, for a tenth part of what I know
of you, would sentence you to the gallows in any Christian country. But
now is not the time for story-telling--on the road--this
evening--to-morrow morning--any time but now; let us, for the present,
manage to persuade the girls to take a walk. But this much I can tell
you, I have _well-founded reasons_ for avoiding the sight of this
Wolfgang. When I relate all to you, by-and-by, this evening, you will
allow that I have good grounds. Shall we be off?"
"Why certainly," said Turner, laughing, "you are the principal character
in this business; I have only come with you to oblige you, so that it is
only proper that I should not leave you in the lurch when danger
threatens you. Away, then, within the next hour if you like--indeed, the
sooner the more agreeable to me, although I should have liked to have
waited till dusk, because it could be accomplished then with less
danger. Well, perhaps we may talk the girls over to accompany us, while
it is yet light, as far as where the nigger with the boat lies hid, but
then we must certainly gag them until we get to the Mississippi,
otherwise their cries might attract some uncalled-for audience, and as
no one goes into the woods here without a rifle, perhaps even bring a
ball about our ears."
"And our place of concealment?"
"We shall reach it this very evening," replied Turner; "it is a famous
little spot, and you will be delighted with it."
"But you have never told me yet where it is," said the doctor
suspiciously; "why all this secrecy?"
"You'll know it soon enough. But what is to be done with the girls
afterwards?"
"Oh, let us drop all further plans for the present," said Normann, "we
have plenty of time for that when we have nothing else to do; now for
the smooth side outwards. In fact, I think we have won the confidence of
the young ladies to such a degree that they will go with us without
much difficulty, if we ask them to accompany us for a walk."
"No fear; I know a capital lie, which seldom fails to raise the
curiosity of a young lady of sensibility."
"And that is----"
"Hallo, there," said the American, jocularly, "does it produce its
effect upon you? Well, as far as that goes, also, you must allow me to
keep my own counsel. What will you bet, now, that it does not succeed?"
"It would be against my own interest to bet against it," smiled the
doctor, "inasmuch as I am interested in its success; so let us to work,
for the ground begins to burn under my feet, and may next hour find us
in possession of two angels that might well excite a sultan's envy!"
* * * * *
Bertha and Louisa had just helped their mother to wash up and put away
the plates and dishes, and were busied making up summer clothes for the
men, in which labour Meier played a prominent part, he having been
relieved for a few days from hard work out of doors, and left within to
cut out. Turner and Normann walked in; made their obeisance to the
ladies, and sat themselves down on a couple of chunks of wood, sawed off
for the purpose, and which did duty for chairs. But although the weather
was really tempting, and the doctor began several times to say how wrong
it was of the young ladies to shut themselves up in the house, and to
devote themselves so entirely to work, while they ought to be enjoying
the fresh healthy air, and thereby keeping off fever, yet Bertha excused
herself on account of the quantity of work which had to be done, and
declared that she had so much to do that she could hardly think of a
walk, however short, for three days to come. Her mother confirmed this,
and Normann, in despair, whittled about on the log, whereon he was
sitting, with his penknife. Turner then took up the word, and led the
conversation to the cattle, to the cows and calves, which they were
expecting, and probably would cause a little change in their monotonous
life.
"Oh, yes," said Bertha, "I look forward with pleasure to the little
calves, there is something so pretty and confiding in a creature that
one has brought up oneself, and so made familiar to one; hitherto we
have had no living thing upon the farm, except the chickens, which Mr.
Wolfgang was kind enough to bring with him."
Again, that name! Normann drew a deep breath, and looked up anxiously to
his comrade, as though he would remind him of the promised assistance.
"Oh, yes," continued Turner, without taking any notice of this movement;
"I am very fond of tame animals myself; formerly, for instance, I once
brought up a young bear, and I must confess that it pained me very much
when I had to part with him afterwards, when he grew too big."
"Bears are dangerous animals--are they not?" asked Louisa.
"Bears! oh, no!" said Turner, as he brought his right knee over the left
one, and clasped it there with both hands--"oh, no, not to mankind, but
very much so to young game; they persecute young deer a good deal."
Normann looked across at Turner, in amazement, for he knew very well
that what he was stating was a falsehood, and consequently that he must
have some object in it. Turner, however, retained his former attitude,
and looked straight before him.
"It is a melancholy reflexion," said Bertha, after a short pause, "how,
among animals, one is always seeking the destruction of others; mankind
must have learnt it from them. The poor little deer-calf, how frightened
it must be when it sees such a formidable enemy approaching!"
"Oh, that enemy, notwithstanding its strength, is the least dangerous!"
said Turner, with a smile; "his attack is, at least, straightforward and
open; but the poor little creature has much worse enemies, who better
know how to employ cunning to get it into their power, and are thereby
more formidable and less easily avoided; these last are, especially, the
panther and the wolf. Indeed, everything nearly persecutes the young
deer:--wild cats, ferrets, even eagles and carrion-vultures pounce down
on them, kill them, and eat them on the spot."
"Oh, that is dreadful!" exclaimed Louisa; "but why doesn't the dam hide
them better?"
Normann got up, and walked uneasily towards the door; Turner cast a
smiling look after him, and continued:--"So she does; and it is seldom
that the buzzards, especially, can find out such a little creature, yet
it does sometimes occur--I had an example to-day."
"But, Turner, it is getting late," said Normann, who could no longer
control his impatience and his fears--"consider that we must send off
the letter to-day, and that very soon, for the messenger will have no
time when the cattle arrives and have to be attended to."
"There's time enough," replied Turner, quite quietly; "I have
reconsidered the matter, and think we had better not send till to-morrow
morning."
Normann turned away, to conceal the emotions which he could hardly
suppress.
"You have seen that to-day, Mr. Trevor?" asked Bertha and Louisa, laying
down their work, and looking up anxiously at the man; "and the buzzards
found and killed such a poor little creature?"
"They haven't killed it yet," replied Turner; "but will probably do so
as soon as it becomes dusk, they are always most ravenous then, and
generally save their prey until that time."
"But I don't understand you," said Bertha, surprised; "why do you
suppose that they will destroy a deer-calf?--can they observe it in
their flight? It is not possible!"
"No, certainly not," said Turner, with a smile; "but just after dinner,
to-day, when I was taking a stroll in the woods, I saw five or six of
these birds; at first I thought that a panther might perhaps have
destroyed some animal or other, and went to see what it could be; but
found a pretty little deer-calf, only a few days old, which lay there
alone and forsaken. Most likely its mother had been torn to pieces by a
panther, and the poor little thing would have to starve to death there
unless the vultures should free it from its misery."
"But why didn't you bring it with you, then?" said Mrs. Hehrmann,
stepping towards them; "good gracious! why it would be shocking if the
poor creature should lie like that, helpless and unprotected."
"Oh, how could you be so cruel as to leave it!" exclaimed Bertha.
"Is it far from here?" asked Louisa. "If, as you say, the vultures don't
eat their prey until evening, perhaps it may still be living."
"Oh, if you would but fetch it!" asked Bertha.
"My dear young lady," said the American, "the poor thing cannot be very
well transported here, unless it were fed first where it lies. I took it
up and stroked it; but it was so weak that it was hardly able to move.
Men's hands are but rough instruments for handling such a weakly
creature."
"You said that it was but a few hundred yards from this?" asked Bertha,
once more.
"It is not a rifle-shot off," said the stranger.
"Oh, mother!" begged Louisa.
"Go, children--go," said Mrs. Hehrmann, quickly; "go and try to get the
dear little thing home alive; your father will be particularly pleased;
he has long wished for some such tame thing."
"Oh, that is capital," exclaimed Louisa, jumping up for her bonnet and
shawl; "but we must take some milk with us to strengthen our little
charge."
"Alas! if the buzzards should have got it," whispered Bertha, sadly, "I
should be so sorry!"
"I should scarcely think they have," said Turner, taking the milk-jug,
which she had fetched, out of her hand; "it is but a short time since I
was there, and the cowardly birds do not venture very readily upon
anything while living."
"Have we got enough milk?" asked Louisa.
"I should think so," replied Bertha.
There was fully milk enough to have filled three full-grown stags.
But Normann, who had regained new life at the turn which the
conversation had latterly taken, and could have willingly embraced the
American, so grateful was he, now expressed himself ready, with the
ladies' permission, to take part in the expedition of rescue, and all
four were in the next minute on their road towards the woods.
But scarcely had they left the houses, and entered upon the Bush, before
the cracking of whips, and hallooing of voices, was heard in the
distance, and the children of the settlement came rushing towards the
houses, and announced, in delight, that "the cows were coming along, and
the calves too."
Universal activity now prevailed, and all ran confusedly hither and
thither, for this was an epoch in their farming life. This was the first
stock, which was to make them wealthy and comfortable. All streamed by,
not only to assist in driving them into the fenced yards destined for
them, but also to see them, to admire them, and--to criticise them. But
the cows, rendered shy by the crowding upon them of so great a number of
persons, began to trip about timidly, and to low; and Wolfgang exhorted
the people to stand back, and not to make such a heathenish noise; but
they paid no attention, nor did they obey his warnings, until one of the
cows, a fine handsome animal, with lofty and pointed horns, sprang right
among them, and, naturally meeting with little resistance, disappeared
in the next moment in the woods.
The shoemaker and the brewer happened to be just standing on the spot
where she broke through, and the latter, upon the sudden charge of the
excited animal, threw himself against the former with such force as to
knock him right through a sassafras bush into the totally decayed stem
of a tree, out of which he had to be got by the united efforts of two
sturdy Oldenburghers. But if the settlers had laughed at the half-buried
shoemaker, their merriment was yet further increased, when they
discovered Meier in the boughs of a stunted oak, in which he must have
climbed with indescribable activity and speed, when the first movement
of the horned cattle was perceptible, and when the attention of every
body else was directed towards them.
Herbold, with irrepressible zeal, followed immediately, full gallop,
after the cow; but Wolfgang, who well knew that that was almost an
impracticable task in the thick underwood, was acquainted with a surer
and much more convenient mode of bringing back the cow of her own
accord: he cut off the calf's retreat, so that it could not follow its
mother, and then drove it after the rest, which now, by the combined
exertions of all, especially by those of the Oldenburghers, had just
reached the entrance of the fence, and they soon saw all the cattle,
with the exception of the run away cow, safely within fence and rail.
The cows and calves were to remain together during the first night, but
after that the former were to be let out, and thus the American mode of
treatment be followed.
Shortly afterwards poor Herbold returned, tired and weary, and, as
Wolfgang had anticipated, without the cow; but Wolfgang comforted him
(for he was annoyed about it) by the assurance that the mother would not
leave her calf in the lurch, but would come back to it, most probably on
the same evening, or at all events in the course of the night. The
result showed that he had spoken truly, for the cow came within a few
hours to the fence which held her young one enclosed, and lowed and ran
round it until she was admitted too.
It was not until the men had entered the house, and were about to take
some refreshment, that Hehrmann thought of making his friends acquainted
with Dr. Normann's arrival. Siebert dropped the fork, which he had just
taken up, and cried--
"What! that fellow has the impudence to show his pale hang-dog face
among us?"
Hehrmann pacified him, and explained, in few words, why Dr. Normann had
sought them out again, and that he hoped not only to recover the
purchase-money for them, but also considerable damages.
"My good Mr. Hehrmann," said Wolfgang, "the gentleman must have some
other object, otherwise he would not have followed you. If he is not
himself really the vendor of this land--which, however, I strongly
suspect he is,--yet he can never hope to recover, in this manner, even a
cent of the money which has once been thus expended. He appears to me,
moreover, from all that I have hitherto heard of him, to be much too
knowing really to believe anything of the kind himself."
"But he told us that the laws----" said Hehrmann.
"Why those very laws"--Wolfgang interrupted him--"do but too much assist
those who wish to act unjustly. It is true that if the debt be small,
under fifty dollars, and you have a formal note for it, then it may be
recovered readily enough; but such debts as exceed fifty dollars, and
more especially claims of such a description as require fraud to be
established, are very difficult, if not impossible of prosecution."
"Look you, my dear Wolfgang, how much you wrong him; foreseeing that, he
has brought a friend of his, who happened to come up the river with him.
He minutely inspected and surveyed all with his own eyes, and is to give
testimony for us in New York."
"Moonshine,--moonshine!" said Wolfgang, contemptuously; "that is, at
most, a mere excuse and cover, to insure themselves a friendly reception
here: I don't know of what other use it could be. That such testimony
would be of no use to him in New York, Dr. Normann certainly knows full
well. Is his companion a German?"
"No, an American; but he speaks a little German, though with a very
foreign pronunciation."
"Where is he now, then?" asked Siebert; "and where are the young ladies?
I have not seen them yet since our arrival."
"The American had seen a young deer in the woods,"--Mrs. Hehrmann now
took up the word,--"and as we feared that it might be starved, or
attacked by the buzzards, the children have taken a jug of milk, and
have gone with Dr. Normann and Mr. Trevor to fetch it."
Wolfgang laid down his knife and fork, and looked up, alarmed, and
almost astonished, towards the speaker.
"The American found a deer-calf in the woods, which, as he feared, would
starve!" he repeated, as though he were in doubt whether he could have
rightly understood the words.
"Yes," replied Mrs. Hehrmann, "and which, he said, was but a day or two
old; and, in order that the bears might not devour it, or the buzzards,
which had already congregated about it, get it, he went at once."
"A deer-calf--day or two old--bears devour it--buzzards get it!"
repeated Wolfgang, astonished.
"Why, yes; and he added, besides, that he must fetch it before evening,
for that it was then that the buzzards became most ravenous and most
bold, and when they attacked their prey."
"Gentlemen," said Wolfgang, who had suddenly become very earnest, "this
American, whom I do not yet know, has either taken the liberty to play
off a joke upon the young ladies, your daughters, or--some scoundrelism
has been carried out."
"For God's sake, what do you mean!" cried Mrs. Hehrmann, becoming deadly
pale, and the men sprang from their seats in alarm.
"What makes you think that?" said Becher; "is not all which the man
said plausible?"
"Plausible! Yes," said Wolfgang, "but a lie! Where, I should like to
know, do you find, at this season, a deer-calf which may be expected to
starve--they are all of them, even those which were dropped latest,
several months old; he, therefore, cannot have found that in the woods.
Then, again, no bear eats a young deer-calf--that's a fable; and the
buzzard, which, besides, troubles itself little about anything which has
life, goes to roost as other birds do, like the turkeys and the Prairie
hens, at dusk. All that is pure invention to entice your daughters from
home; and my advice is instantly to break up in pursuit--perhaps, we may
yet overtake them!"
"But where to seek them?" asked Hehrmann, tearing his double-barrelled
gun from the wall: "Where to find them? Which of us can follow their
track?"
"I know what part of the woods they are gone to," said Schmidt, who had
just entered. "I had left a cross-cut saw there this morning, and just
went to fetch it."
"Show us the way, then," said Wolfgang, looking at the priming of his
own rifle, which, prior to his journey, he had left behind him in
Hehrmann's house.
"Oh, God--my children!" cried Mrs. Hehrmann, disconsolately. "Oh! let me
go with you!--let me go with you!"
"Don't be terrified, my dear," said the worthy Hehrmann, consolingly, to
her; "who knows whether our fears are well founded?--we have at once
supposed the worst. It's quite possible that they have only gone into
the woods to look for berries, and that we may meet with them close by
here."
"I believe, altogether, that you think too badly of Dr. Normann," said
Siebert, senior; "I don't think him capable of such villany."
"You are right!" exclaimed Hehrmann, who probably thought of the last
conversation of Normann with his daughter, but would not torture his
wife yet more by betraying too great an anxiety on his part. "You are
right; still, we will go after them; perhaps, too, we may fall in with
the runaway cow."
"But she--is in the opposite direction," the shoemaker was just going to
blurt out, when he was stopped by an emphatic dig in the ribs from
Becher; and when he turned angrily towards the latter, he made such
desperately quieting faces that the shoemaker was quite taken aback, and
held his peace without concluding the sentence.
Wolfgang, Hehrmann, and Von Schwanthal, mounted the horses to go in
search of the poor girls; and the remaining settlers, with very few
exceptions, followed on foot, to cross the woods in all directions, and,
if possible, to get on their track. Schmidt strode on manfully before
them towards the spot where he had seen the two men with Hehrmann's
daughters for the last time.
* * * * *
"If we can but find the poor little thing!" said Louisa, timidly, when
they had entered right into the woods, and were gliding forward, in
Indian file, along a narrow track.
"Is it much further?" asked Bertha, shyly, who began to feel ill at ease
in the dark shadows of the woods in the company of the two men, neither
of whom had spoken a word since they lost sight of the houses.
"No, Miss Bertha," answered the American, with a smile, "_we are nearly
there_. Do you see yonder regularly formed circular hillocks?--the poor
little creature lies between them."
"Hark!" said Louisa; "I hear shouting and the cracking of whips--they've
certainly arrived with the cows and calves. Oh, if we had but waited a
little longer!"
"We can be back within a quarter of an hour," said the American,
cheerfully, to her. "According to my reckoning, we must be almost at the
place."
"But the ground is so damp here," said Bertha, "and mother has
particularly cautioned us against getting wet feet--and you too,
Doctor."
The doctor was silent, and cast an anxious uneasy glance towards his
comrade. Bertha looked up in astonishment at the men, and now first
observed in their whole behaviour something strange and unfamiliar--and,
like a dash of cold through heart and marrow, the idea of treachery
arose in her mind.
"We will turn back," she said, suppressing her fears with all the power
of which her strong heart was capable. "We will turn back--Mr. Trevor
must have missed the direction; no deer-calf could lie hereabouts, the
ground is wet and swampy."
"Where lies the boat?" whispered Normann to his comrade; "are we far
from it?"
"Over yonder--scarce a hundred yards from this."
"But what shall we do with the girls?"
"We must bind them," said Turner. "Scipio will come running with the
ropes, as soon as I give the signal."
Bertha had seized the hand of her sister convulsively--and the latter
looked up to her timidly, but still without any foreboding of what was
in agitation.
"Why do the men whisper so together?" she asked her sister. "Cannot they
find the spot? But, Bertha, what's the matter--why, you are as pale as a
corpse! Oh, Doctor!"
She turned round towards the doctor, but in the next moment she herself
stood in need of the support of her sister; she started back with a loud
cry of horror, and hid her face in her hands.
Before her, a cocked pistol in his hand, stood the American, and, with a
look which raised fears of the worst, in a threatening whisper, hissed
out these words--
"Dare to scream!--dare to call for help!--and one of you falls a
corpse--the other her murderess!"
"Doctor!" begged Louisa, in a low voice--"oh! can you not protect us
from this dreadful man?"
But, without even bestowing a look upon the petitioner, the doctor
exclaimed--"Give the signal, Turner!--we dare not lose a second more;
if Wolfgang should learn under what pretext we have led the women into
the woods at this season, his suspicions will be roused, and in tracking
he equals an Indian."
Turner raised his fingers to his lips, and gave a low whistle;
immediately after, the bushes on the river's edge, which was not many
yards distant, rustled, and Bertha herself could scarcely suppress a cry
of terror, when the bright yellow, devilish countenance of the mulatto,
with greedy, glowing eyes, and grinning teeth, dived out of the thicket,
and hurried towards them, carrying a bundle of cords in his hand.
"What are you going to do?" cried Bertha, who was the first to regain
her presence of mind; "what is your purpose? Is this the return, doctor,
that you make for my father's friendly reception? Let us go, and I
pledge you my word that I will not say a word of what has hitherto
passed.--Back, I say! don't touch that child."
The American had seized Louisa, who was paralysed with fear, and was
about to bind her hands, when Bertha rushed upon him. But without
heeding the interruption, he flung her with powerful grasp towards the
mulatto, who made fast her limbs with fearful rapidity, while Turner
exclaimed threateningly--
"Speak but another word, and I'll drive the steel into your sister's
heart! By everything sacred, I am not joking! You are prisoners, and
must give way to your fate."
"Help, help!" screamed Bertha, contemning every threat, for she did not
fear death, if it could save her from shame. But in the next moment the
broad palm of the mulatto was lying on her lips, and he exclaimed, with
a grin--
"Must put little gag in the little mouth--make too much row!"
Bertha soon found herself incapable of further resistance, and the same
thing took place with Louisa, although less was to be feared from her,
as she was restrained by the threat of death to her sister, from
attempting anything for her own safety.
"Now, away," said Turner, lifting Bertha in his arms. "Come, doctor,
you take the lighter one, and, now, Scipio, carry the rifles yonder, and
let us see how you can row. You know the reward which awaits you."
He sprang forward to the banks of the small river, and down towards the
concealed boat; the doctor, who appeared to be momentarily moved by
fear, and perhaps, also, by repentance, stood for some seconds, as if
petrified, but when he saw Turner disappearing beneath the steep river
bank, with his own booty, the former passion was once more aroused; he
raised the other girl, who looked up to him beseechingly, in his arms,
and with rapid strides followed his confederate.
A few minutes sufficed to get afloat the light and rapid skiff, and,
with a low chuckle of triumph, the American pushed from shore. He sat in
the stern of the boat himself, and steered; beside him, her back leaning
against the cross-bench, with hands and feet tied, and her mouth wrapped
round with a silk handkerchief, lay Bertha. The mulatto sat on the
middle seat, with the starboard (or right) oar, and on the further seat,
Dr. Normann, with the larboard (or left) oar, and quite forward, with
her little head on the roughly dragged-in rope, lay Louisa, also bound
and gagged, and the clear tears coursed down the poor girl's cheeks,
which were as cold and as white as marble.
The sharply-built boat shot forward like an arrow in the somewhat
swollen stream, and Turner exclaimed, laughing--
"That was capitally executed; now, for a couple of hours' start, and the
devil himself shall not overtake us."
"But we require that, too," whispered the mulatto; "the little river is
very crooked--runs first north, then south, in all directions. If they
know that we are off, they only want a good horse, and then might shoot
us one after another out of the boat."
"That's true, Scipio," said the American, "but it can't be helped. But,
hang it all! the Germans wont be such sharp trackers, either--Normann,
don't make such an infernal row with your oar as to discover our place
of departure so soon!--it would be horrid, if they should--that's a
fact!"
"Why, at the worst, we might always save ourselves," said Scipio,
"though we should have to leave the pretty little bits of woman-flesh in
the lurch."
"But, look, for God's sake, at our course, again!--due east, slick away
from the Mississippi!"
"That's the great bend," said Scipio, "we shall take an hour to get
round it, and yet 'tis but a couple of hundred yards across."
"Stretch out, you two!" cried Turner; "we must make haste, and leave
this little watercourse, with its high, uncomfortable, overgrown banks,
behind us. I shan't feel myself in safety, till we're on the other side
of the Mississippi."
The men, thenceforward, observed a deep silence; Bertha endeavoured with
all her power to raise herself, and looked up entreatingly at the dark
man, who sat beside her, with the helm in his hand; but he, guessing
well enough that she wanted to speak to him, shook his head, smiling,
and whispered, in a low voice--
"No, my dear, you mustn't make any use of your pretty lips yet--the
danger is too great, here; besides, begging, or praying, or offering
ransom, or whatever else those tricks and evasions may be called, would
be unavailing.--You are _mine_!"--and he hissed the word out so softly,
between his teeth, that it escaped even Normann's ear: "thou art mine,
and no devil shall tear thee from me!"
The boat was now approaching the spot where the curve of the stream
terminated, and where it almost resumed its former course. At this
point, by reason of the great bend which it made to the right, the
rivulet had washed away nearly the whole of the lower part of the left
bank, so that the upper stratum of earth, in many places, overhung like
a roof, and could only have been retained in its position by the roots
of willows, and swamp maples.
The boat, too, had been drifted by the current towards the outer side
of the bend in the river, and Turner was just about to keep her head
more towards mid-channel, in order to avoid the danger of getting foul
of, and, perhaps, overturned by the tree stems which projected from the
vicinity of the bank, when the mulatto suddenly held up his hand, and
ceased rowing; Dr. Normann instantly followed his example, and the
former stood up from his seat, and listened, holding his hands in the
form of a funnel to his ear in the direction of the left bank.
"Do you hear anything?" asked Turner.
The mulatto made a sign with his hand to be quiet, but remained in his
former attitude.
The boat still shot quickly forward, although no longer urged on by the
oars.
"What's the matter?" asked Normann, timidly.
"They are coming!" the mulatto suddenly whispered, and pointing,
alarmed, upwards.
A glad ray of hope passed across the countenances of the unhappy
captives. There was some sign of salvation from their awful danger; and
Bertha cast a look of joyful gratitude towards the blue canopy of
heaven.
But Turner, who, quickly as thought, perceived their only chance of
remaining undiscovered, acted as promptly. He could no longer expect to
get away on the opposite side, for he heard the approaching hoofs
himself; and there, he must have fallen under the bullets of his enemies
before he could climb up the steep bank. On the other hand, on the side
whence the pursuers were approaching, the shore was bushy, and, as
already mentioned, overhanging. Without betraying the fears which crept
over himself therefore, by so much as the twinkling of an eyelash--even
with the same cold smile upon his thin lips--he let the boat fall off
into the current.
In the next second, he glided between and among some willow shoots which
grew close to the water's edge, and were overhung by thick bushes, and
there the boat lay, held by the strong arm of the mulatto, still and
motionless.
At the same moment, some dry branches broke off above, and the leaves
rustled--a rider bounded forward, heedless of the closely interwoven
branches, and severing them with a sharp hunting-knife only when they
actually stopped his passage, nearly to the edge of the bank, and,
bending forward, gazed up and down the stream.
"Do you see nothing, Wolfgang?" the anxious voice of Pastor Hehrmann was
now heard to ask--"can you discover nothing of my children?"
Bertha, hearing the voice of her father close above her, made a
desperate exertion of strength to free her mouth, but Turner held her
with an iron grasp, so that she was hindered from making any movement
whatever; whilst Normann applied the same restraint to the younger
sister, and in addition, pointed a knife at her breast. Although not a
syllable escaped him in this action, yet his eyes betrayed the devil
that was lurking within.
"Nothing!--nothing at all to be seen or heard!" said young Wolfgang,
with a sigh. "And yet it appeared to me, just before we reached the
bank, as though I heard the sound of an oar; but I must have deceived
myself."
A contemptuous smile played round the corners of Turner's mouth.
"And are you quite certain that they had a boat above here?" asked
Herbold's voice.
"I can pledge my neck for it!" Wolfgang answered him; "the tracks were
plain enough to be seen."
"Perhaps they are not so far yet," said Becher, who had now also
arrived. "As you say yourself, the river hereabouts makes great bends,
all of which we have cut off, and I should think, therefore----"
"Perhaps--but perhaps not," Wolfgang interrupted him. "But we must
consider this, above all things--that in case they should have passed,
we are wasting valuable time in a most inexcusable manner, for we give
them more and more the start; and if they once reach the Mississippi,
little hope remains of our overtaking them."
The mulatto, in the boat below, nodded his head, with a grin that
disclosed two rows of dazzling white teeth.
"How would it be if we were to gallop along the banks of the
water-course?" asked Mr. Hehrmann.
"Yes, if we could do that," said Wolfgang; "then they should not escape
from us--I know that; but scarce half a mile from this, a deep slough
empties itself into this little river, and that with such steep banks,
that riding through it is out of the question: those on foot might make
the attempt, for, if I am not mistaken, there are some cypresses fallen
across it, which permit of a passage."
Turner looked interrogatively at the mulatto, who confirmed the
statement by a silent nod.
"But how are we to get on, then?" demanded Hehrmann, anxiously.
"We must ride back almost the same way that we came with the wagon,"
said Wolfgang. "'Tis true that it is several miles round, but it can't
be helped."
"Suppose we were to station men along the banks? Then they couldn't slip
by, anyhow."
"If we had more horses, and if it were daylight, that might do; but as
it is, I fear that we should be dividing our forces too much. Besides,
we could do little in a place like this before us, for example--for the
scoundrels would know how to cover themselves by the bodies of their
unhappy victims, so that we should not dare to fire upon them. My advice
is, for all of us to start for the mouth of the Big Halchee, and we
horsemen as fast as our beasts will carry us. The Big Halchee, too, is
very narrow there, and if we put ourselves in ambush, and draw a couple
of ropes across the stream, they _must_ fall into our hands."
"But shall you be able to find the route in the dark?" asked Herbold,
anxiously.
"Yes, with the help of Providence," said the young man. "I am no longer
a novice in the woods, and have spent many a long night abroad among
them. But now, let's away. The men afoot may keep close to the river;
from this part forward, the Halchee does not take so many turnings; and
although the road is rough and bad to travel, yet, on the other hand,
you cannot lose your way in the woods. But if you should discover the
boat, still, for God's sake, do not fire into it, lest you should hit
one of the poor girls, but keep it in your eye till you come to some
shallow place, and perhaps may cut off their retreat. Now, gentlemen,
give your horses the spurs, and away!"
Wolfgang accompanied the word with the deed, and immediately afterwards,
the bushes crackled again, and the horsemen disappeared in the woods.
But the other settlers sprang and ran along the bank, over prostrate
stems, through reed-brakes and thickets, keeping the rivulet in their
eye at first as much as possible; but they soon discovered with what
difficulties they had to contend, especially in the approaching
darkness, and were obliged to confine themselves merely to keeping in
its vicinity, so as to be able to recognise its banks. They thought that
they should be thus enabled to reach the mouth of the Big Halchee before
the boat. All, however, swore solemnly, each time they got entangled in
some wild vine--every time they stumbled over the trunk or branch of a
tree--when a thorn tore their faces or hands--that they would
exemplarily punish the scoundrels who had so vilely abused their
confidence.
However, when the chase had lasted an hour or so, many a one among them
would have willingly turned back; but, then, the very idea of returning
alone by the road which they had come was dreadful. No; to go forward
was preferable to that, with the hope of being party to the capture of a
couple of traitors who, according to Meier's sentence, deserved to be
pricked to death with red-hot needles.
Turner continued under cover of the willows for about a quarter-of-an
hour more, until some time after the last of the pursuers had quitted
the bank of the stream, fearing some spy might have been left behind; at
last, however, further delay was attended with just as much danger as
actual discovery, for the horsemen would thereby get too much the start
of them; and the American knew but too well that he should be a lost
man, if his flight into the Mississippi were cut off.
It was not that alone, however, which urged the scoundrel to reach the
shores of that mighty stream half-an-hour, at least, before the
pursuers; but he told his comrades nothing about that--indeed, he spoke
not a word, but pushed the bushes gently and carefully aside, so that
the boat could glide out between them; made signs to the mulatto, which
must have been intelligible to the latter, to muffle the oars, so as to
prevent the noise of the tholes, and the next moment the slim-built boat
was gliding down close under the shadow of the left bank, and that with
such extraordinary rapidity that it appeared to mock all further
pursuit.
But what, meanwhile, were the feelings of the poor, unhappy girls, thus
torn from the arms of their parents, in the power of rude and desperate
scoundrels, after having heard their father's voice close over them;
after having seen salvation before their eyes, and yet tried in vain to
make known their presence by a word, by a sound. Alas! they saw every
hope of being restored to their own people, of being rescued from the
violence of these traitors disappear.
But, no; there yet remained one hope--they had heard Wolfgang's voice;
they had heard the sound of the horses' hoofs, as they galloped off, and
knew that they were hurrying towards the mouth of the little river to
meet the ruffians there; it was yet possible that they might arrive
first, for there must exist danger, or the mulatto would not have
strained his sinews until his heavy breathing became more and more
audible, more and more distinct, and betrayed the zeal with which he
worked.
This was the single gleam of hope which fell upon the torrid night of
misery and despair which they suffered; and they could only pray to the
Almighty that he would give wings to the footsteps of their people, and
bring them in time to their rescue.
FOOTNOTES:
[22] The swing plough is not used in Germany, except in parts of
Holstein and Friesland.--TR.
[23] The worthy farmer had before said that they raised no fodder for
cattle. The fact is, cattle get their living in the woods, but don't get
fat there.--TR.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MOUTH OF THE BIG HALCHEE.
Werner was sitting upon the narrow gallery which surrounded the
Boiler-deck of the Diana,[24] and Schwarz had taken his seat beside him,
on a green-varnished camp-stool, which he bent back as far as he could,
in order to be enabled to plant his feet at the same time firmly against
the nearest pillar. But the scenery of the Mississippi had materially
changed since they had quitted the more southern climate of Louisiana.
Those splendid, wide-spread plantations which pressed back the old
forest far, far, into the blue distance, and from whose well-fenced
fields the feather-like sugar-canes or the stubborn cotton-plants had
hitherto met their gaze on the boundless plains on every side, were
gone. And with them had disappeared those comfortably arranged planters'
dwellings, embosomed in flowers, and orange and pomegranate trees; gone
were the tulip and fig-trees; gone the dam on the water's edge, behind
which numerous flocks had grazed, and upon which, now and then, the
heads and broad-brimmed straw-hats of dark-eyed Creoles had been
visible, who, reining in their ponies for awhile, had stopped to admire
the speed of the steamer that dashed past them. The little
showily-painted boats, with their gaudy flags, which, lower down, had
enlivened the prospect, were no longer to be seen, and the forest, the
tall, mighty, unconquered forest, overran the land, to the margin of the
steep and crumbling shore, and often even beyond it, out into the
eddying foaming flood. It was only here and there that, in some nook of
the dark and silent woods, there stood the shanty of some solitary
cordwood-cutter, around which a regular clearing was but rarely to be
seen, and that, perhaps, scarcely fenced in; but, instead, high piles of
cordwood, often several hundred yards in extent, testified to the
industry of the labourer working there in solitude, and who was but
rarely linked to a world from which he seemed to have fled by some
steamer stopping here at distant intervals for wood.
"But how can any one think of settling in such a melancholy, desolate
place?" said Werner, breaking silence, at last, after a long pause, just
as the Diana was heaving up the waves from her paddles towards the
western shore, till they almost washed the threshold of a hut standing
near--"the surrounding swamps must poison the air."
"Certainly," opined Helldorf, "it is a melancholy life they lead who
dwell here; but they chiefly view it as means to an end, and therefore
put up with it for a year or two, or even for half-a-dozen years."
"And for what end?" asked Werner.
"To earn enough money to enable them to settle in a healthier district,
and to buy some little property with what they earn here."
"But why don't the people go to such a spot at once, when land can be
had everywhere so readily, as you say; why do they risk having a sickly
body when the 'far West' lies open to them, only waiting for the
plough?"
"And there are reasons for that too," said Schwarz. "You, no doubt,
remember that I have related to you, with _how little_ a man may begin
life in the woods; but that little be must have, else he has to contend
with too many and too painful obstacles. I can, were I to go now, with
an axe and a rifle into the woods, found a home for myself; I can chop
trees for my log-house; manage to subsist awhile on dried venison;[25]
raise my dwelling with the assistance of my neighbours, and make a
couple of acres fit for tillage; that is, I fell the smaller trees which
are standing upon it and girdle the rest."
"Girdle?"
"Yes; they call it girdling, when they chop out the bark in a ring, for
a hand's breadth or so, round a tree, and which is chiefly practised
with very thick trees;[26] then grub up the worst roots; and now I have
got my land, what Americans call, fit for ploughing. But where is the
plough? There is no money to buy it, and I must _borrow_ it, as well as
a horse to draw it. Neighbours will certainly do that, and willingly,
too. They assist the settler with all their power, and not unfrequently
make the greatest sacrifices for him. But that has not got me out of my
difficulties, for now I want seed to sow my field; I want a hoe to earth
up the growing stalks of Indian corn; I have to plough again from time
to time; I require cooking utensils,--chisels,--augers,--nails. I
haven't even a hand-mill to grind the _borrowed_ Indian corn, but must
trouble my neighbour for that, too. To-day I want a chain,--to-morrow an
iron wedge,--the next day this,--the day after, that, and it does not
cease; there is no end of borrowing; so that the neighbours, let them be
the most good-natured souls in the world, yet at last must lose
patience, and shun the person who merely comes upon their farm to
borrow, first one thing and then another, in order that they may not be
compelled to give him a refusal.
"All that can be met by a small but reasonably applied capital. When one
is in a position to procure the most necessary things, there is no fear
afterwards; the circumstances of the farmer improve, although slowly
perhaps, yet surely, from year to year, and he may constantly look
forward, for himself and his family, to a future free from care. But, to
expend the little capital in a really reasonable manner, that is the
stumbling-block over which most emigrants, or rather immigrants, fall.
They frequently come over to America with not inconsiderable property,
but then generally suppose--especially if they have much money--that
they can buy the whole world, and allow themselves to be drawn into
heedless speculations, of which, as they are ignorant of the country and
the language, they understand nothing, and into which they are, for the
most part, enticed by designing knaves, who are on the look out for such
prey. They afterwards, when it is too late, find out how the swindler,
who now laughs at them for their stupidity, was merely intent on
appropriating to himself their good money, whilst he was making
seductive representations of quickly-to-be-acquired riches; and the more
difficult for them does it subsequently become, when they are thrown
back upon their personal resources, to begin what, to a certain extent,
is a new course of life, and a very unaccustomed and hard course, too.
"Those who come over with small sums have the advantage, at least in
this, that from the time of their leaving home, forward, they have not
been in a position to form such great pretensions, and therefore, when
they have lost that little, they are more easily reconciled to the idea
of beginning afresh."
"You seem to assume indisputably, and as a matter of course," said
Werner, laughing, "that emigrants must really first lose all that they
have brought with them!"
"Certainly," Schwarz replied, drily; "for it happens at least
ninety-three times out of a hundred, and the remaining seven you will
surely allow me to class as exceptions. But experience will show you the
truth of what I am telling you, when you shall have been a little longer
in the country. Nearly all the Germans, who have got on here, have come
over poor; and if you should see two persons arrive, the one with a
thousand dollars, the other without a thousand pfennings,[27] I will
wager anything that the poor man shall be the first of the two to become
wealthy, or at all events independent."
"According to that doctrine, money would be of no advantage, then," said
Werner, shaking his head.
"Of the _greatest_," Schwarz replied; "but he who possesses it must know
how to keep it back. Take my word for it, my dear Werner, that if a man
sets foot in this country with a hundred dollars, and lays them out
immediately, they are worth nothing to him; but, if he wears them sewed
up round his body for three or four years, or if he buries them, he will
discover that at the end of that period he possesses in them a little
treasure, with which he can commence a new and promising mode of life,
in a great many different ways."
"But the idea of burying money! It would surely be better to deposit it
in some bank."
"Yes, if you want to get rid of it. The devil trust the banks; to-day
they pay silver for their rags--to-morrow they don't even give you half
the amount for them. No, no; the banks may be all very well for those
people who are accurately acquainted with their business and
circumstances, and at least have the means of knowing when they risk
something, and when not. But let the newly-arrived emigrant, for
Heaven's sake, abstain from throwing his good money into these maws of
speculation; else he may have to rue his imprudence when it is too
late."
"That throws us back again to my old position," said Werner; "if
individuals are really so threatened by dangers on all sides, as you
tell me, it must surely be best to begin in large societies or colonies,
wherein the interests of all the members can be confided to experienced
persons."
"In order to be cheated in company," said Schwarz, with a laugh. "Say no
more about your unlucky colonies; they never come to a good end, unless
the people are influenced by a stern fanatical despotism, acting upon
them by means of superstition and religious excitement. Such
communities, it is true, are to be found, and some among them there are,
in this country, which may be classed with the most blooming and the
richest of our settlements; but Heaven preserve us from a life, where
mind as well as body is bound in fetters which become tighter and more
galling every day. No; we have not come to America for that; we want to
enjoy freedom, the greatest blessing which this splendid country
possesses; but a colony would just be the greatest and most insuperable
hindrance. But I will tell you why, from the very nature of the thing,
no German colony, unless under the condition just alluded to,--religious
tyranny,--can exist. The different stages of refinement in which people
are found in our blessed Germany, are the chief cause. Let them begin
with the best intentions of concord and public spirit,--let their will
be ever so good,--yet in the long run they don't agree among themselves;
unintentionally there arise various little cliques, not exactly of those
who are of similar opinions, but of similar education; for he who
formerly occupied himself with literature and the fine arts, will
always, let him set to work as hard as he pleases, like to devote his
hours of leisure not only to chat about cattle and merely mechanical
matters, but will also like to converse about something which shall
occupy his mind, and, in some degree, recompense him for the now merely
material life. But, generally speaking, the less educated man feels
himself hurt by this; for as he takes no interest in such conversations
himself, he can seldom comprehend how others can do so.
"A feeling, unknown perhaps to himself, awakes within him. He thinks
himself neglected, and considers those men proud who are only mentally
his superiors. From this moment forward all their steps are sharply
watched, and it does not remain unnoticed that, as their limbs will not
immediately adapt themselves to the unaccustomed occupation, the hard
country work, they do less work than the rest. A breach has arisen in
their friendly relations which becomes wider every day. The old
mischievous saying, 'All are equal here in America,' comes into use more
and more frequently and pointedly, and even if those who wish well to
the colony do everything in their power to allay the angry feeling, and
to restore friendly relations among them, which have been disturbed,
nobody knows how, yet it is of no use, good will is gone, a hard,
thoughtless word, from one of the 'gentry,' as they already begin to be
called, which, perhaps, he never meant himself, gives the finishing
touch, and some fine morning Peter clears out this way, Paul that.
"Those who possessed the least now come off the best; all the sacrifices
made by the founders are forgotten; they must not calculate upon
gratitude, and soon find themselves alone again."
"It would be best, then, for persons of the same way of thinking, and of
the same style of education, only to join in the formation of such a
colony; the objection to which you allude would thereby be obviated."
"It would, to be sure; but a thousand others arise," continued Schwarz;
"just imagine a party issuing from Germany consisting of nothing but--I
will assume even--country people, acquainted with one another--there
shall not be among them a single gentleman farmer who is accustomed to
have bailiffs and servants under him--just imagine them--left to their
own resources in a country of which they do not understand even the
language, much less the manners and customs, the poor devils would be
surrounded by knaves and speculators directly; and even assuming that
such colonists really should hold firmly and inseparably together, and
should not allow themselves to be cheated in any way, (which is very
improbable,) still they would not advance a step; and thus, going from
one extreme to another, for the very reason that they did not speculate
at all--indeed, could not speculate--they would resemble cattle tethered
to a barren heath, although beautiful green pastures might be spread out
around them. If any good were to be done with such colonies, my dear
friend, you may rest assured that the Americans, who must be best fitted
for them, would have discovered and realized it themselves. But they
know better; they stand there singly, free and independent, and a German
should follow their example in this respect, as he is compelled to do in
a thousand other things."
Werner looked out upon the yellow waters, reflectively, for some time,
and after a short pause, asked--
"And what do you advise me to do, then?"
"Come with me," said Schwarz. "I am going to the southern part of
Missouri; there I shall purchase a little improvement--that is to say, a
place where one of the restless and ever westward-moving Americans has
worked before, and where I need not be obliged to clear land for the
first year's crop at all events. We'll seek for a little place for
yourself somewhere in the neighbourhood, buy cattle as soon as we get
there, so as to lose no time in rearing them, and then you may as well
work for a few months, or even for a year, as may be agreeable to us
both, upon my land; at the expiration of that time, I hope to have
brought you so far that you may commence on your own account, and then
the sooner you fetch home your bride the better."
"Oh, my dear Schwarz!--you paint the future much too brightly; I don't
even hope to be so near to the fulfilment of my wishes."
"Well, we shall see," said Schwarz, laughing--"we shall see. But where
has Helldorf got to? he hasn't shown himself the whole morning; we must
be nearly there."
"He was sitting above, on the hurricane deck, beside the pilot," replied
Werner. "Shall we go up?"
At this moment, the large ship-bell gave the signal for landing; the
boat, too, approached the shore more and more, and there, in the shade
of enormous cotton-wood trees and cypresses, stood an insignificant
little log hut, almost concealed by immense piles of cordwood, and
making its presence known merely by the blue smoke which arose from its
clay-plashed chimney into the clear morning air.
The boat landed; across the planks, which were quickly shoved out,
hurried away labourers, firemen, and deckhands, who were followed,
although more slowly, urged on by rough language from the mate of the
vessel, by the deck passengers, who, on board other boats, when they
undertook to carry wood, merely had somewhat less to pay for their
passage, but, on board the "Diana," were carried gratis, so that the
task of wood-carrying should be speedily accomplished, and the journey
not thereby delayed; it being important for that vessel to preserve her
reputation as the fastest boat on the Mississippi.
It was a strange, bustling kind of life which thus suddenly intruded
itself on the quiet forest hermitage. The clerk or business-man of the
vessel, with a long measuring pole in his hand, sprang upon the piled up
wood, and there measured off a certain number of cords, the boundary of
which was marked by a couple of logs laid crosswise; the impatient
workpeople then fell upon the cordwood like vultures on their prey, and
hurried, each man with his load of six or seven long logs, down the
steep bank again, on board, where they threw down the wood, and where
other men stood in readiness to pile it regularly up. There might be
some forty persons in all, who, like busy ants, swarmed out in an almost
uninterrupted line over one plank, and returned, loaded, on board again
over the other; and within twelve minutes about twenty cord were got on
board. The farmer or wood-cutter had meanwhile received his money in the
cabin above, and he was just engaged in taking a drop of whisky-punch at
the bar, when the bell rang again for starting, and he hastily jumped
down, in order not to be carried off with the boat.
The last of the labourers snatched up the remaining logs; another
loosened the stern rope, the farmer himself remained forward beside the
spring rope; the cry, "All aboard!" was heard, and the planks, seized by
others of the sailors or deck hands, flew back.
"Go ahead!" cried the captain, from the upper deck--the rope struck into
the water--other sailors stood forward near the bowsprit, and shoved off
her head with long poles; and soon after, she was panting once more away
on her course up stream.
"Are we still far from the mouth of the Halchee?" inquired Werner of
young Helldorf, who had exchanged a few words with the American cordwood
cutter.
"Scarcely five miles; we may be there within an hour," replied the
other; "but I scarcely think that we shall be able to reach the
settlement itself this evening."
"We had, perhaps, on that account, better remain at the mouth of the
river, and start from thence early to-morrow morning," Schwarz
suggested; "then we shall have no occasion to sleep in the open air."
"But lose half a day"--Werner quickly interrupted him. "What harm will
it do us if we should pass one night under the open sky? You are, no
doubt, used to it, and it won't hurt me either; at worst, one can only
catch cold."
"Well," said Schwarz, with a smile, "I have no objection: your
impatience appears to me very natural--therefore, let it be so. But,
Helldorf, hadn't you better go up to the pilot again, that we may not
pass the place by mistake; that would be a joke!"
"No, no; the pilot has assured me that he knows the spot," said the
latter, "and he will put us out there; but, by way of precaution, I'll
remind him of it again. In the meanwhile, you two had better get our
luggage down into the little yawl astern, so that we may not occasion
any further delay to the vessel on that account."
He ascended the narrow stairs which led over the paddle-box; Schwarz and
Werner in the meantime followed his advice, got their boxes and bags
into the little boat, which was made fast astern by two stout ropes, and
was towed after the steamer over the swelling waves, and then returned
to the boiler-deck to await the stopping of the Diana.
They now passed a rounded point of land which projected far into the
river, and continued to steer for a while along the eastern bank, in
order to keep in the deeper channel, but then, just as a sandbank began
to show its white surface at no great distance from them, the bow of the
boat suddenly turned from the land, and kept a course obliquely across
the stream towards the western shore.
"Yonder is another little river, falling into the Mississippi," said
Schwarz, pointing from the starboard gallery of the boat back towards
the land which they were leaving more and more, behind them--"yonder,
where the bright roof of the log-hut stands out."
"You call that a river!" said Werner; "you are liberal with your fine
names; three houses cannot stand near each other but you dub them a
town. But how desert and wild the prospect looks here, the treacherous
rolling stream with its flood of mud, the flat shores without a single
eminence, the dead sandbank, which, like a winding-sheet, skirts the
gloomy forest. I should not like to live here; the whole appearance of
the country seems to tell of fever and misery."
"Yes, it is a miserable kind of life, sure enough, that on the banks of
the Mississippi; though it is nothing to speak of just now; but in the
time of the floods, when the river overflows its banks and inundates the
whole country--you should pass then; the log huts standing on piles seem
to swim upon the waters, the flood as it rises higher and higher lifts
up their floor boards and washes them off, and not unfrequently even
tears away the miserable little dwellings themselves in its greedy
embrace, and carries them off towards the Gulf of Mexico.
"I really can't think how rational beings should like to settle here,"
said Werner, "for if----"
"There lies the Halchee," cried Helldorf, who now came running down from
the hurricane deck, pointing astern to the very spot which had already
attracted the attention of the two friends--"there lies our destination,
and the confounded captain won't put us ashore!"
"What! not land us!" exclaimed Werner and Schwarz, jumping up from their
seats, surprised.
"Oh, hang him!" said Schwarz; "he must land us; in the first place, we
have not paid our fare beyond--and, secondly, we wont go any
further----"
"Yes, all that is very well, but what are you to do with the captain of
a steamer on board his own boat? there he is the most absolute of
monarchs, and assumes to act with the utmost arbitrariness. It is true
that you may 'summons' him at the next town, but that again is attended
with so much trouble that one cannot make up one's mind to adopt it
unless in an extremity."
"But that is shameful," said Werner, angrily; "he takes money for our
passage, and then drags us past the place where we want to land. But, my
dear Mr. Helldorf, may you not be mistaken? That can't be the mouth of
the Big Halchee, for, according to what Dr. Normann told us, there
should be a town there."
"Dr. Normann no doubt told you many things which were untrue," replied
Helldorf, very gravely; "I fear, I fear that he has played another of
his scoundrel tricks, and that with complete success. I ought not to
have let him get off so quickly, but what could I do with him in New
York without proofs."
"But what in the name of goodness are we to be at here?" cried Werner.
"How much further is this self-willed gentleman going to drag us along
with him!"
"Probably to the next town where he may stop, or perhaps, even to the
next wood station."
"That would be pleasant," growled Schwarz; "we have only just now taken
in wood enough to last us till evening at least. No, he must put us out
before; probably the place at the Halchee was not convenient for him to
stop, because he had to keep so far from shore on account of the
sandbank, and would have been compelled to wait a long time for the
return of the boat."
"Certainly, that was the reason," replied Helldorf; "and the pilot tells
me that the captain has made a considerable wager that he will reach
Louisville, which is 1400 miles from New Orleans, within six days. On
that account it is that he takes deck-passengers for their services as
wood-carriers merely, and only stops at those places where he is
obliged."
"Then I'll speak to him," said Schwarz; "so that, at all events, he may
not carry us too far. If we land at any little town, or at a farm even,
we probably may be able to get a canoe with which to return the few
miles."
Schwarz did as he proposed, but the swift boat carried them with great
speed, for several hours more, away from their destination, and it was
not until the Diana was rushing close past the eastern bank, and there,
at a convenient spot for lying-to, found a considerable number of
passengers, who had been waiting for the first steamer that should pass,
that the captain gave the signal for putting out the boat. The three
friends did not wait to be told twice, but quickly took their seats, and
found themselves in a few seconds more on dry ground. Scarcely, however,
had they touched the sand, before their boxes and bags were chucked
after them, by the sailors, with the most amiable _naiveté_ in the
world; with as little ceremony did they get on board the luggage which
belonged to the passengers who were taken up there, and which was lying
ready, hurried the passengers themselves after it, and in a couple of
minutes from their departure they were alongside their boat again. A
rope was thrown to them, and whilst the passengers (among whom were
some women) were left to get from the low boat aboard the high steamer
as well as they could, the latter already dashed on again, panting and
foaming wildly.
The proprietor of the farm where they stopped was then at the water's
edge, whither he had accompanied the persons who had just left, and he
received the three friends, who, as he naturally supposed, had come
there on purpose to see him; for his little clearing lay in the midst of
an immense reed-brake, and was not in any way connected, by land at
least, with other places or settlements.
Helldorf soon explained to him the cause of this really very
unintentional visit. Nevertheless, the farmer gave them a hearty
welcome, and comforted them with the assurance that the Diana was not
the only one of the fast boats which committed such arbitrary acts. He
promised them, moreover, a good canoe, large enough to carry them and
their effects down stream, only that they must get out of the way of the
swell caused by the steamers, as that was dangerous to a deep going
canoe, or hollowed-out tree stem.
This was cold comfort, certainly, but there was no choice, for they
could not have got along by land, even had they been willing to leave
their things in the lurch, a reed-brake in the Valley of the Mississippi
being about the worst imaginable of impassable thickets or wildernesses.
So, for a few dollars, they bought the little vessel, and were for
putting their things aboard, and going off at once. But the farmer would
not hear of this; it was dinner-time--dinner was waiting, as he said, on
the table, and they should on no account leave his land hungry,
particularly as they had a considerable journey before them, and it was
doubtful besides whether they would be able to reach the mouth of the
Halchee before darkness set in.
Werner, it is true, would have preferred starting at once, for he could
get no rest or peace so near his sweetheart; on the other hand, his
stomach spoke pretty distinctly in favour of the offer of the
hospitable American, so they accompanied the latter to his dwelling,
which was but a few hundred yards off, and where they were most heartily
received by the mistress of the house, a very pretty, neat, and
tidily-dressed--but rather pale and delicate-looking, little woman.
Here they remained for it might be an hour or more, and then they were
obliged to take some Indian corn bread and cold turkey for the journey
with them, in order, the young lady said, that they might not arrive
there hungry again. But so quickly had they become acquainted with, and
even attached to these good people, that after no more than an hour
passed in their company, they already parted from them unwillingly. But
time pressed, the journey which they had to make was a long one, and
they wished, if possible, to reach the mouth of the Halchee before
evening, at all events, in order to hear from the farmer residing there,
whose country they had learned from their host, some particulars of the
fortunes of the colony.
Their canoe, which, from its size, might even pretend to the name of a
pirogue, was excellent, and bore them, while Helldorf steered, and
Schwarz and Werner rowed, quickly down stream. But the warning to avoid
the swell raised by steamers seemed to have been by no means
unnecessary; for once, when they had not troubled themselves about a
boat passing far away towards the opposite shore, the canoe narrowly
escaped being swamped by the waves, although these were already much
weakened by the distance. By dint of great exertions they managed to
keep themselves above water, with the head of their little bark towards
the swell which rolled in towards them, whilst the two rowers had as
much as they could do to bale out the water that washed over the
gunwale. Rendered cautious by this, they landed each time that they saw
a steamer coming--and once, when the gigantic Louisiana rushed past
them, they carried their boxes upon shore, for this powerful boat threw
waves nearly eight feet in height upon the bank. These repeated
stoppages delayed their progress very much, and, when the sun set, they
had not yet reached the longed-for spot. But the moon shone down clearly
from the blue firmament, and they knew that by hugging the eastern shore
they could not very well miss the place itself, as the considerable
sandbank above the mouth marked the neighbourhood distinctly enough.
They reached it, accordingly, at last--glided past it--crossed the
Halchee--and landed opposite the house, just where a tolerably thick
cotton-wood tree had fallen with its top in the stream, while its root
still rested above on the bank, and thereby warded aside the current,
and, to a certain extent, whilst they lay close under its shade, formed
a secure harbour for the boat.
They were about to go at once into the house, from the crevices of which
a dim light issued, but another steamer coming up stream, warned them,
first of all, to get their things into a place of safety; they carried
them, therefore, up the bank, whilst the dogs lying near the house gave
tongue, and announced the presence of strangers by barking and howling.
But the people in the house appeared to trouble themselves little about
the noise, for no door was opened; and had not the fire glimmering
within betrayed the vicinity of human beings, our party would have
supposed the hut uninhabited.
"They seem to be very careless about robbers or thieves," said Helldorf,
laughing, when they had carried up the last of their effects, and were
going down to their pirogue again, to remain beside it until the
approaching steamer had swept past, so that their rocking boat should
not be washed away by the waves.
"There won't be much to steal there!" said Schwarz; "there is generally
not much to be got from the farmers, but a bit of cold steel or a lump
of hot lead, and the thievish gentry rather avoid them. Nobody has a
lock on his door--a wooden bolt, shoved forward from the inside or
outside, answers the same purpose, and affords as much security;--But,
didn't you hear some one speak? The voice seemed to come from the banks
of the Mississippi."
"I heard nothing," said Helldorf.
"Oh, yes, I did, distinctly," replied Schwarz; "probably 'tis from the
people, or negroes, from the house here, who may be about to light a
fire to induce the passing steamer to land, and take in wood."
But the steamer engaged their whole attention for the time, and not a
word more was exchanged, for the colossus rushed nearer and nearer, and
close behind it followed the foaming powerful waves, and rocked and beat
about the crank boat so madly and wildly, that it was only with some
exertion that the three men could protect it from them. But the waves
disappeared as suddenly as they came; and Helldorf took hold of the long
painter, which passed through a hole forward in the bow, and was just
about to make it fast to the branch of a fallen tree, when he suddenly
stopped in a listening posture, with his body advanced forward, and his
hand raised. Immediately afterwards, the friends looked at each other in
astonishment, for angry sounds, as of persons quarrelling, were heard in
that direction; these were quickly succeeded by a half-suppressed
cursing and groaning, and, in the next, by the report of a shot. The
sound of hoofs of galloping horses next struck on the ear; it came
nearer and nearer, and, about the moment when the horsemen must have
reached the open space, a smart boat, rowed by one man only, glided out
into the stream.
"Massa! take me 'long with you!--for God's sake take me 'long with
you!"--cried a voice from the shore. But the man in the boat did not
appear to heed it, but rowed on with evident exertion, and that right
across the river, in doing which he was carried a little downwards by
the current, which was not very rapid in that place.
The Germans had watched the whole proceeding with the most anxious
interest, and in the surprise of the moment, really hardly knew which
way to turn, or what course to pursue; but Helldorf now exclaimed:--
"There's something wrong going forward here; let us go up, perhaps we
may yet be of some service;" and with these words he was about to run up
the river bank; at that moment there resounded across from the boat,
which was already almost lost in the obscurity, a cry for help, so loud
and urgent that Helldorf stopped in alarm; but Werner cried out, as he
started forward:--
"That was Bertha's voice, by Heaven! Helldorf, Schwarz, if you are my
friends, show it now!" and, without waiting for a reply, or caring about
the wild shouts and noise which now arose on the bank of the stream, he
sprang into the boat, which they had just quitted, and the two friends
had scarcely time to follow him, and to resume their places, before he
pushed from the shore and took to the oar with all the vigour of which
he was master.
"Stay, or I fire!" cried a voice from the shore, which Werner instantly
recognised as Von Schwanthal's.
"'Tis I!" he called, in reply--"I, Werner!"
"Stay, or I fire!" repeated the other, who, in his excitement, did not
appear to have comprehended the words.
"Then fire, and be d----d!" growled Helldorf, who thought that they had
got far enough from shore not to need to fear a shot, especially in the
dark; but Von Schwanthal, who never doubted but that this boat was
connected with the other, and, in his haste and excitement, not
remembering that Bertha, herself, should she happen to be in it, might
be hit, levelled and fired; and directly after the flash, even before
the report reached them, the slugs, with which the gun had been loaded,
struck in and around the pirogue, and Werner could not suppress a low
cry of pain.
The second barrel missed fire.
"Are you wounded?" cried Schwarz, turning round, in alarm, towards his
friend; "has that blockhead hit you?"
"Hit, certainly; but it's nothing--only grazed, I believe--for God's
sake don't let us lose time--we shall be too late else--away!--yonder
flies the boat, and if he once reaches the further shore, how are we to
follow him?"
Schwarz and Helldorf knew but too well the truth of this remark, and,
without another word, they urged on the slim canoe, which was
considerably lightened by the removal of their baggage, with the speed
of an arrow, through the current, after the fugitive.
FOOTNOTES:
[24] The Boiler-deck, in American river steamers, is the space forward
of the cabin, on the lower deck, between the two chimneys which pass up
through it, and top over the hurricane deck.
[25] A settler calculating on this would stand a chance of being
starved.--TR.
[26] Girdling is a bad and slovenly practice, as the girdled trees, when
the rest are cleared away from around them, are very liable to be blown
down, and thus endanger men and animals; again, the wood gets so very
hard, that it is much more difficult to cut into lengths for logging and
burning, when it is blown down.--TR.
[27] A pfenning is German money, value 1/12th of a penny.--TR.
CHAPTER IX.
TREACHERY WITHIN TREACHERY.
"Massa!" said the mulatto, after he had rowed awhile, till large drops
of sweat rolled down his forehead--"massa, this is confounded hard work!
Shall we drink a drop?--the bottle lies beside you." And he raised his
oar out of the water whilst he said these words, so that the clear drops
slowly trickled from it into the stream; Dr. Normann also stopped
rowing, and breathed hard.
"Confound it!" he then whispered, "this is cursed hard work! I should
like you to take the oar a little. There you sit at your ease, enjoying
yourself! Let me steer awhile."
Normann made this proposition more for the purpose of getting beside
Bertha than to be released from the work, which, though hard, was not
altogether new to him; the bold looks which the rascally Yankee now no
longer turned away for a moment from the girl, did not please him, and
he was less and less able to suppress a growing suspicion that the
American did not mean fair play.
"Nonsense!" retorted Turner, who appeared by no means disposed to give
up good-naturedly any advantage which he might have obtained. "You want
to steer, do you? so that we may run foul of bushes or snags every
minute, and afterwards get too late into the Mississippi--eh? No, every
second is worth gold, and the change of places would occupy us too long.
Row away! row away!--rest when we are once in the river!--there's no
time for it now. Away!--when we're in the Mississippi, _you_ may
steer,--a trifle either way is of no consequence there. Away, I say! or
you will have no one to thank but yourself for the destruction of us
all!"
The men took to their oars again in silence, and shot down stream with
wonderful speed. The moon lent them her silver light; and it was not
until they caught sight of the shining sheet of water, the Mississippi,
that they stopped a moment to take counsel whether they should attempt
the passage at once, or reconnoitre first.
Turner voted for the latter plan, and the mulatto was despatched to
examine the safety of the mouth; but he returned within a few minutes,
laughing, and chuckled out, shaking all the time with inward enjoyment--
"Just as I s'posed!--a confounded rough road through the woods, and the
worthy Dutchmen will have a while to ride yet, before they catch sight
of the shore! Well, I wish 'em joy! But now, massa, I must have a drink,
by golly! or else I wont touch an oar again!"
Turner handed him over the flask in silence, but immediately turned to
Normann, and said--
"Doctor, it's time that we changed places; now you may steer. But just
step ashore a minute; we must bale the water out of the boat--the
confounded thing leaks. Confusion! what a row those dogs are
making!--and yet they're to windward of us. What the devil ails them?"
"No cons'quence," grinned the mulatto; "the people will think they are
barking at the steamer that is just passing up stream. But, hallo,
massa! she's going close in shore!--will make great swell."
"We had better lighten our boat," said Turner, "else we may perhaps end
by getting swamped."
"There's no fear," said Normann. "With this boat, I'd row under the
very paddles of the Sultana herself, and she shouldn't ship a drop!"
"Yes, when you're once out in deep water," growled Turner; "but here, so
close to the mud bank, stuck all over with old snags, the devil may
trust it!--it's easy work, and 'tis better to be safe! If we ship water
now, who knows but that the horsemen may be upon us before we have time
to bale it out again."
Without awaiting any further answer from Normann, he took Bertha's
sister this time in his arms, and carried her ashore. This had the
wished-for result; Normann followed quickly with Bertha, who turned her
pale countenance away with a shudder, when she felt herself touched by
the hands of the scoundrel; and the mulatto had to mount guard, Turner
putting the painter into the doctor's hand, to hold the light vessel,
whilst he himself, notwithstanding all the swaying and rocking from the
swell, driven up the Halchee by the steamer, which now rushed past,
baled her out. As soon as this work was concluded, he gave a gentle
whistle, scarce audible, and the mulatto immediately came running down
the steep river bank.
"Bring one of the girls," said Turner to him--"the eldest first: so; lay
her this way. Doctor, you'll get seated between the two lasses now, only
don't let them make you forget to steer." He laughed, at the same time,
quietly to himself, and it struck the doctor as though he whispered a
few words to the mulatto. Be that as it might, Norman's suspicions
became stronger, and he was thinking of letting go the rope, and taking
his place in the boat again, when the mulatto came back.
"Now, massa doctor," said the yellow fellow, showing his ivories--"take
the youngest one, if you please,--I'll hold the boat so long." He took
hold of the rope, and advanced the right foot. Normann stood, for a few
seconds, in doubt, but then turned half aside from him, as though he
were about to follow his advice; the half-son of Africa, too, allowed
himself to be deceived, sprang rapidly towards the boat, shoved it
quickly from the shore, and was just about to follow with a rapid
spring, when Normann, who perhaps had a notion of something of the
sort--and yet, again, could scarce believe that his own friends would
leave him in the lurch in so shameful a manner--upset the well-spun
scheme, by suddenly throwing himself upon, and flinging his arms round
him.
"Hold, sir!" he cried--"you rascal--you! You don't escape so! Turner,
you perjured villain! would you betray me?"
"Make yourself loose, Nick!" cried Turner to the mulatto--"make yourself
loose!--quick! By Jove, I hear the horses! We are lost if they catch
us!"
"You scoundrel! I keep you in pawn!" cried the doctor, who was now
driven to extremity. "He can't get away alone, and we shall, at all
events, go to the devil together!"
"Haven't you a knife about you, Nick?" exclaimed Turner. The danger
increased every moment: a few minutes more must decide their fate. "Come
quick!--come both of you, then, in the name of all the devils in
hell!--only quickly!" he cried, at last, in a rage, for he knew how
invaluable every second was. But even if he could have made the
combatants comprehend his wish, Normann, after what had taken place,
would not, on any account, have put himself into the hands of his
treacherous companions; but as it was, neither of the two enraged men
heard even a syllable of the proposal. Nick had, with infinite trouble,
got his hand into his pocket, and pulled out a small pocket pistol,
which he quickly and secretly turned towards the German's forehead. But
this movement of his opponent had not remained unobserved by the latter,
and he threw his arm upward, and struck the weapon aside, at the very
moment the mulatto was pulling the trigger: the ball even grazed his
ear, and the powder singed his face. But now, driven to the extremity
of rage, he no longer heard even the approaching galloping of the
horses, but seizing the slim figure of the negro with all the strength
he possessed, he threw him to the ground. In the same moment, the
pursuers appeared on the river bank, close above the two wrestlers, and
Turner's boat glided out beneath the shadow of the bushes into the
Mississippi.
"Confusion!" said the Yankee, gnashing his teeth, finding he had to
handle the two heavy oars in tholes which did not correspond. "Confusion
seize that awkward brute of a nigger! to let himself be upset like that
by a Dutchman; if they only hang the varmint, and I hear of it, that'll
be some comfort! Well, my pretty, now we two must make the journey
alone," he said, turning grinning to the prisoner lying before him;
"didn't I tell you, my poppet, that you----"
"Help, help, here! Help!" suddenly cried with a loud voice, the unhappy
girl, who had, meanwhile, with the most fearful exertions, freed herself
from the gag. "Help, here! Help!"
In the next instant, the palm of the American's hand was on her lips,
and he whispered to her, through his clenched teeth--
"Ho-ho! my pretty little dove, must I draw the bit a little tighter?
So," he continued, whilst he made any further attempt at screaming
futile, by a large woollen cloth--"so! if it should be a little close
for you, you must bear it; over in Arkansas, I'll make you more
comfortable."
He seized the oars once more, and pulled away till the tumid veins on
his forehead threatened to burst the skin;--"Stop!" resounded across
from the shore, and, as he was gazing thither, to see to whom the call
was addressed, for he was himself too far for it to have reference to
him--a flash gleamed in the obscurity and the report of a shot followed.
His attention was thus drawn to the direction in which the shot was
fired, and to his astonishment and alarm, he just discerned, in the dim
light of the moon, the dark shadow of a second boat gliding on, which
evidently must be following him. Although he could not account, in the
first place, where this boat had come from, as the mulatto had found
none thereabouts, or, secondly, why his enemies should fire upon it,
yet, he did not, for a moment, hesitate in concluding it to contain, as
it really did, _pursuers_; and his sole aim now was to reach the
opposite shore before it. Once there with his prize, he could, under the
dark shadow of the woods, either give them the slip, with his boat even,
or else easily carry his prize into the thicket, where pursuit would be
useless. So, with his face turned to the dark spot, from which the
flashing light of the oars, as they were lifted out of the water, alone
announced the activity with which those in it were striving after their
object, he himself pulled away lustily, and shaped his course, so as to
give way a little to the stream, not exactly across, but rather
endeavouring to maintain his advantage, as he still thought it possible
to escape them by superior speed.
But he was soon undeceived, for although the pirogue was unquestionably
clumsier in the water than the excellently modelled boat, yet the latter
was not adapted to be rowed by one person: the tholes lay opposite
separate seats, the one more forward than the other, and the working of
both at the same time was highly inconvenient. Turner, who knew how to
scull, might, it is true, have easily got his boat down stream in that
way, but he could not have made, in that fashion, so much way as the
pirogue, and, he was consequently obliged for his own safety to choose
the less convenient but more advantageous mode.
Still, the pursuers gained upon him, and he was obliged to turn the head
of his boat more towards the stream, in order to reach the opposite
shore as soon as possible. But this movement, which did not pass
unnoticed by Helldorf, only redoubled the zeal of the Germans, and the
steersman warned the rowers several times, not to pull too violently,
lest they should break one of their oars, a loss which could not have
been made good.
Turner was now compelled, in order to get more command of the lower or
larboard oar, and be enabled to stem the stream, to change the tholes,
which occupied him some seconds, for whilst he stopped rowing, the
boat's head turned quite towards the stream, and she lost her course.
Scarcely had the American resumed his seat, and got his little vessel in
her former direction, before he saw how much nearer the enemy had
advanced, and became conscious of the danger which threatened him. The
current, besides, had carried him further down than he anticipated, and
he observed, on turning his head to look, that he must touch the upper
part of the sandbank, situate on the opposite side of the river, about
three English miles below the one before alluded to, and would not be
able to give his pursuers the slip in the shadow of the woods, or in the
top of some tree fallen into the water. All that remained for him was to
save his own life, and gnashing his teeth, he was compelled to admit to
himself, that the booty, which he had considered so safe, was lost to
him. There is no knowing what he might have done in the first moment of
rage, had he only dared to cease rowing for an instant; but as it was,
he found himself almost within shot of the silently approaching
avengers, and knew well enough, unless he reached the sandbank sooner,
and much sooner, too, than they, that he should be exposed to their
fire. He could not possibly dare to hope, that people who engaged in
such a pursuit were unarmed, and yet such was the case; not one of the
three carried so much as a pistol, and they had simply, on the impulse
of the moment, and relying on the goodness of their cause, followed a
desperate ruffian, who, there could be no doubt, would have sold his
life dearly.
Turner, never without a weapon himself, thought the same probable of
others, and as his pursuers were Germans, they naturally, according to
his idea, carried nothing else than fowling pieces or shot guns, and
those double-barrelled ones. But, just now, he dreaded those more than
he did a ball, for it was more probable that he should be hit by them,
and perhaps crippled, than with a bullet. He therefore exerted himself
in desperation, his limbs were bathed in sweat, his sinews strained
almost to starting, and he was scarcely fifty yards distant from the
strand which promised him deliverance, when the boat ran upon one of the
numerous tongues of sand which in that place run out into the stream,
and grounded hard and fast. Turner well knew how impossible it would be
for him, under existing circumstances, to get her afloat again, and
therefore, without a second's further delay, seized his rifle and shot
bag, and jumped overboard, and ran, with rapid bounds, through the
water, which there was scarcely a foot in depth, towards the sandy
shore. He had hardly reached it, before he began to spring across the
hard sand in zig-zag, in order to avoid any shot which might happen to
be sent after him, and in doing this performed such extraordinary
gambols, that Schwarz, who immediately guessed what he was in dread of,
and knew the groundlessness of his fears, broke out into a loud laugh.
But Werner, who troubled himself little about the runaway rascal, if he
could only succeed in saving his sweetheart, was in half a minute's time
beside the boat left in the lurch, in which the maiden, bound and
gagged, was still lying. He was in it with a rapid spring, and in the
next moment, Bertha, swooning from joyous surprise, rested upon his
breast.
For the unhappy girl had had no means of forming an idea that any body
was in pursuit of her kidnapper; although she heard the shot fired at
the canoe, yet, as she was lying in the stern of the boat, with her face
turned forward, and could only see the exertion with which the scoundrel
was rowing, she gave herself up for lost. Nor had she been able to
perceive the happy consequences which had ensued from her cry for help,
for the American had immediately thrown himself upon her, and stifled
any further sound by a new bandage. When, therefore, she felt, as she
supposed, the boat touch the shore, she abandoned all hope, and stared,
with fixed and horrified gaze, at the man in whose ruffianly power she
now believed herself. But how astonished was she, when, without
bestowing a single word upon her, he jumped out of the boat into the
splashing water, and directly afterwards another boat glided alongside,
out of which--gracious Heaven! was it one of thy angels that thou hadst
sent?--the very man sprang to whom her whole pure soul hung with
devotion. The joy was too overwhelming; she cast a single look of
gratitude upward, into the clear sky, and then sank back, unconscious,
into the arms which were clasped around her.
In the same moment of time Turner disappeared in the thicket of young
cotton-wood saplings, which skirted the sand-bank.
"I say, Helldorf, I think we shall make a good exchange here," said
Schwarz, laughing, as he followed Werner into the captured boat; "well
leave our old hollow log behind us: what say you?"
"Why, of course," said Helldorf; "but we'll tow it into the current
again, so that yonder varmint may not chance to use it to get away.
Without a vessel, may he be devoured by mosquitoes in Mississippi
swamps."
"What jumps he took!" said Schwarz, still laughing at the thought of the
Yankee's zig-zag flight. "He thought, no doubt, that we had a whole
arsenal of fire arms aboard; but, by Jove, here are two rifles, and a
whole box full of provision, apparently."
"It will be time enough for examination when we get back," said
Helldorf. "Werner, can you steer?"
He nodded his head in silence, but did not remove his eyes from off the
countenance of his beloved, whose deadly pale temples he bathed with
the cool water of the stream.
"But we're fast aground!" exclaimed Schwarz.
"Wet feet won't hurt us much," Helldorf interrupted him, and jumped
overboard at once to shove the boat afloat again. Schwarz quickly
followed his example; in a few seconds they felt the boat give way to
their efforts, and soon it rocked freely and merrily again in deeper
water.
The men now jumped in, and whilst they vigorously plied the long oars,
Werner took hold of the tiller with his left hand, while with his right
he supported his beloved. The well-modelled boat glided with the speed
of an arrow towards the Eastern shore once more.
But there, meanwhile, things had proceeded wildly and confusedly enough.
Wolfgang and Herbold, throwing themselves from their horses, had seized
the two traitors, who were struggling with each other; but the mulatto
would certainly have escaped from the firm grasp of Herbold, for, quick
as lightning, he drew a small knife from his girdle, from the use of
which the doctor had hitherto prevented him, and stuck it into the
shoulder of the German, who instantly let go his hold in alarm; but
Pastor Hehrmann, although he shrank from shooting a fellow-being, even
though as vile a criminal as he who stood before him, yet could not help
giving some vent to his just rage, and, swinging round his weapon
quickly, he struck, with its butt end, the hard-sculled son of Ethiopia,
with such good will, on the head, that the stock broke in two, and the
mulatto was doubled up without speech or movement. In the next moment,
he, as well as Normann, whom Wolfgang held with an iron grasp, were
bound so fast that they could not budge. Pastor Hehrmann had, in the
meantime, discovered his poor younger child lying on the ground, almost
lifeless with anxiety and dread; he loosened her bands, and pressed her
affectionately to his bosom, when the report of Von Schwanthal's shot
turned their attention in that direction. They now made out both boats
in the moonlight, but all of them remained in uncertainty, for who in
the world could the pursuers be, if the first boat contained the
fugitive and his booty. Louisa increased their doubts by stating that
the American was the only one now left of the treacherous band, and the
Germans could not imagine where the other boat came from. Had Providence
sent it to save the poor innocent girl from the hands of her kidnapper,
or did it only bear away others of his rascally accomplices, who,
perhaps, had been lying here in ambuscade to cover the traitor's flight?
The prisoners were required to give them some explanation; but, however
ready the mulatto might be to tell all that he knew, in the hope of
saving his dark skin, yet he was compelled to confess that the second
boat was unknown to him, and certainly did not belong to their party.
This was the only circumstance which left the miserable father a glimmer
of hope, although he could not conceive who the men might be who had
hastened to the salvation of his child, so unexpectedly, and at so
critical a moment. He could now only pray that Heaven might prosper
their good work; and, with folded hands, and with his sobbing daughter
leaning on his breast, the poor unhappy man stood and gazed, fixed and
motionless, out into the silent surface of the stream, as though he
would have penetrated the obscurity which shrouded it.
Normann and the mulatto lay firmly bound beneath a tree, and Von
Schwanthal stood beside them, with his gun again loaded and cocked; but
Herbold pulled off his coat, and was just endeavouring, by the faint
light of the moon, to examine the wound which he had received from the
steel of the mulatto, when they heard the rustling of the bushes, and
the younger Siebert, Schmidt, and an Alsatian, the former armed with a
double-barrelled gun, and the other two carrying formidable bludgeons in
their fists, rushed towards them. They were soon informed of the state
of affairs, and the clubmen were turned into watchers of the prisoners,
whilst Siebert laid down his weapon, and looked at Herbold's wound; it
proved altogether free from danger; the uncertain thrust had but grazed
the shoulder and torn the skin; a linen handkerchief was bound over it,
and there was nothing more to be feared from it.
It was then that Pastor Hehrmann, who had never turned away his eyes
from the river, suddenly exclaimed, as he pointed, with his left arm
outstretched, down the stream--
"Did you hear nothing? was not that a sound like an oar creaking against
the hard wood of a boat's side?"
All listened, and for some seconds absolute silence ensued, then it
sounded distinctly across the water. All heard, at measured intervals,
the regular working of a pair of oars, but they still remained in
uncertainty whether the boat to which they belonged was going down the
stream, or whether it was returning. After a quarter of an hour of the
most exciting and painful expectation, Herbold first discerned a dark
point in the lighter surface of the water, and soon after, every moment
more distinctly, the outline of a boat became visible, ploughing the
stream, and, it could no longer be doubted, making for the eastern
shore. Now the separate figures of those in it might be
distinguished--there were three of them--two rowed, and one was at the
tiller--but what was that? Was there not something white lying in the
stern? Something now moved in the boat, a white handkerchief was
waved:--
"The Hoffnung, ahoy!" cried a loud voice to the shore.
"Gracious Heaven!" said Pastor Hehrmann, and his knees trembled with
joyous alarm, "gracious Heaven! was not that Werner's voice? And my
daughter----Bertha----"
"Is saved!" the other called back; "we bring her; father, she is here!"
The boat glided into the shade of the projecting trees, and immediately
after they heard it strike upon the soft mud. How Pastor Hehrmann flew
down the steep bank and clasped the child who was found again, he hardly
knew himself. It was only when held in Bertha's arms, and when that
excellent girl, who up to that moment had exhibited fortitude and moral
strength, broke out into convulsive sobs, and clasped her father's neck,
as though she would never, never more loosen her embrace, that he
comprehended, that he felt, that he had indeed got both his dear
children back, and with a voice almost choked by emotion, he cried--
"My Lord, I thank thee!"
How describe, with cold dead words, the feelings which the happy ones
felt, when, in constantly renewed embraces, they felt completely that
they were restored to each other, never more to be separated! How gladly
did the father welcome the worthy deliverers of his daughters, two of
whom were already his old and dear friends, and how often had they to
recount again and again how they had just happened to arrive in time to
save Bertha from an ill which--he shuddered at the mere thought of such
misery!
And why, during all these relations, did the dear great hearted girl
hide her little head, with a deep blush, in her father's breast? Why did
she not look freely and openly into the eyes of those who had so readily
hurried to her rescue when she was in need and danger, as she had
hitherto, unconscious of evil, done towards all men? Oh, do not press
the poor girl, her nerves have not recovered from the fright and dread,
and--Werner has, during the short passage, been whispering so many, so
very many things into her ears, that--but 'tis no business of ours, and
we had better stick to our story.
"What's to be done now with these two fellows here?" said Von
Schwanthal, who probably felt the evening air getting too damp for his
taste. "Shall we take them into the house, or shall we carry them to the
settlement with us?"
"Well leave them here," said Wolfgang; "what's the use of dragging them
about any further? Either we will pronounce judgment upon them ourselves
to-morrow, which, at all events would be the shorter course, or we will
take them, bound, in the boat, to Memphis, so that they may be punished
there."
"That will certainly be best," said Pastor Hehrmann, "for, may Heaven
preserve us from executing the law ourselves, as I have heard is
sometimes practised here in America! We will not dye our hands in human
blood."
"Am I dreaming?" said Helldorf, who had stopped to listen as soon as he
heard Wolfgang's voice, advancing towards the latter, and availing
himself of the uncertain light of the moon. "Isn't that--by all that's
wonderful!--Wolfgang!"
"Helldorf!" the other exclaimed, embracing his friend, and pressing him
to his breast--"Helldorf, God bless you, my dear fellow--Helldorf!" and
with that word, the name of a man with whom he had in past times shared
joy and sorrow--the remembrance came upon him suddenly of all that he
had lost, of all that he had suffered, and he cast himself in dumb and
scarce bearable agony on the shoulder of his friend.
"Friends! I have a hundred dollars in gold upon me," Dr. Normann now
suddenly whispered to the two men who kept watch over him; "they are
yours if you will cut through the cord, and turn away your head for a
moment."
"Hit him over the head, Hans, if he opens his mouth again," said
Schmidt, growling a hearty curse to himself into the bargain. "Does the
blackguard think to bribe us, too? Wait, you dog!"
Under any other circumstances it is probable that Normann would have
been deterred by this not over-encouraging answer, but the sound of the
voices of the two men, Wolfgang and Helldorf, filled his soul with
horror, and he dreaded the worst.
"I have five hundred dollars with me," he whispered again, as he
endeavoured to raise himself; "my men, I'll make you rich, only loosen
my bands, and give me a minute's start. _Five hundred_ dollars, I say,
do you hear?--five hundred dollars!"
"Shall I give him a tap?" asked the Alsatian, and raised the heavy
iron-shod stick, which in starting he had seized in haste as the most
convenient weapon of offence and defence.
"It won't do any harm," Schmidt considered, growling, "for he has
already richly deserved----"
The Alsatian did not wait for the conclusion of his comrade's sentence,
but gave the bound criminal such a hard and well meant cut across the
shoulders, that the latter yelled with pain and rage.
"Hallo! what's up there?" Von Schwanthal now cried, as he levelled his
gun, and quickly advanced. "Is he trying to get away?"
"He's offering a bribe again," said Schmidt, laughing, "and the Alsatian
has forbidden him rather feelingly."
"Aha! he would like to be off," said Von Schwanthal, "I dare say. His is
a desperate case. I wouldn't be in his shoes for the best bearskin in
the world. But I think it would be better for us to take those worthies
in-doors. In the first place they can be easier guarded there, and
besides it's getting very unpleasant out here. Mr. Wolfgang, I dare say,
has got a little bread and meat--you understand!"
"Aha! you are hungry," said the party alluded to, with a smile; "well,
we shall manage to find something. But here comes Scipio, with fire, I
see. That's right of you, old fellow; throw the burning logs down here;
we are not going to stay out here all night, it is true, but they may
light us for the moment."
He took, at the same time, a burning pine-torch out of the old negro's
hand, and stepped up to the place where the malefactors were guarded.
"So this gentleman, here, wanted to bribe our watchmen, eh?" said
Wolfgang, while he passed the flaming light towards the pale face of the
doctor. "That, I suppose, is your much-praised Dr. Normann. Confusion!"
he suddenly cried out, interrupting himself, and starting back in
surprise, as though he had trodden on a snake--"Wæhler! Dr. Wæhler!
Then there is a retributive providence even in this world. Villain, thy
hour has come! Mary! Mary! here is revenge!" And before any of the
astonished spectators, who surrounded him, could interfere--yes, even
before the pale sinner himself had any notion of what was in store for
him--Wolfgang, driven by the sight of the hated one to the wildest and
most unbridled rage, swung the heavy brand which he carried in his hand,
and dashed it down with all his might upon the malefactor, who uttered a
loud scream of dread and horror. The sparks flew far around, and the
flame was extinguished--but again the glimmering club was raised and
threatened destruction to him who had now fallen back unconscious; it
was Pastor Hehrmann who saved him. He seized the enraged man's arm with
all his strength, and begged and entreated of him to stay, and not to
stain his soul with murder.
"Murder!" said Wolfgang, musingly. "Murder!" he re-echoed as if in a
dream. "Yes, yes, it would be murder--yet that villain, has he not
deserved death a thousand-fold at my hands? Was he not the cause that we
were obliged to leave the home we had founded in a beautiful country,
and that my wife now--killed by fever and grief--lies in the cold earth?
But you are right," he continued, after a short pause, whilst the
smoking torch fell from his hand--"you are right; I will not stain
myself with the blood of this villain--he shall be handed over to the
_hangman_, to whom he belongs."
"Hold there--hold fast!" cried Schmidt, as he made a spring, and missing
his footing, pulled down the Alsatian who stood beside him, to the
ground, too.
"Back!" cried Von Schwanthal, at the same time, as he opposed himself to
the dark form of the fugitive mulatto, who was just about to fly past
him into the thicket.
But perceiving the German levelling at him, and fearing the
fowling-piece, which stopped his only outlet in that direction, more, he
turned back and attacked young Siebert, who was taken by surprise, tore
the gun out of his hand, and then sprung with it, with a tremendous
leap, right into the stream, whose waters met over him again.
"Wait a bit, you scoundrel!" said Von Schwanthal, as he sprang to the
edge of the bank, and raised the gun to his cheek--"wait, you scoundrel!
only show your black woolly head again, and I'll let fly at you, so
that----"
"Let him go," Werner begged, as he pushed the barrel, which was already
aimed, aside--"we are all so happy, this evening. Human blood, spilt by
our hands, would put us out. He will not escape his fate."
"You are right, I will willingly leave him; however, you've saved his
life, that's certain, else by this time he would have been on the high
road to the infernal regions. But, if he really does go to the devil,
we've got the head and chief rogue, and he must pay the penalty for both
this time. Wait a bit, my little doctor, we'll make you swallow
something which shall be more bitter than your own pills."
But the doctor did not hear a word of all these friendly addresses, for,
stupified by the blow, he continued to lie there rigid and unconscious,
or else pretended to be so, and was carried by his sentinels into the
house.
The mulatto, who had made such good use of the moment when they were all
occupied with the doctor, and was now joyously dividing the flood with
sturdy arms, struck out towards the opposite shore. Von Schwanthal
could, for a long time, trace the light stripe which the swimmer left
behind him in the water. He certainly appeared to have escaped from the
hands of mortal avengers; but a greater one watched him; Nemesis
stretched forth her iron grasp towards him--he had met his fate.
There are few who can plough their way across the mighty father of the
waters--the Mississippi; the current is too strong; a thousand
whirlpools exhaust the swimmer, although they may not be powerful enough
to suck him down. The Mulatto stemmed the flood with powerful chest, and
had already reached the middle of the river; he then turned on his back
to rest, and now began again to labour with redoubled exertion.
But this it was which proved fatal to him; he had, from the very first,
to escape the still-dreaded shot, over-exerted himself, and now, when
fear lest he should not reach the saving shore came to be superadded, it
operated cripplingly upon him. His breathing became more laboured, his
movements quicker, but also fainter, and it was only the sight of the
shore, which constantly advanced more and more near, which yet
maintained his spirit. He had now attained the dark line that mirrored
the tree tops in the water, yet still the land receded about two hundred
yards more.
"Courage!" he faintly gasped, whilst he clenched his teeth as if in grim
defiance--"courage! yonder--but a few yards off, life and freedom
smile!--courage!" With a strength which he could only borrow from
despair, he divided the waters. He had but a few yards more to swim
before he could grasp the over-hanging willows of the shore. "Ha! how
strong the current rolls along on this side!" He could scarcely support
himself above the whirling flood.
"Help!" he cried: Turner must be on this side, and would hear him.
"Help!" In vain--twice, already, had he stretched out his hand to a
projecting branch, twice had the current's speed sucked him away from
under it. Now, again, a saving branch stretched out towards him--with a
last exertion of strength, he threw himself upwards and towards it; he
clutched the rocking branch which projected far into the river. But, oh!
unfortunate wretch, it gave way! it was but a floating reed which had
settled there, and that broke in the grasp. The mulatto sank--the waves
curled and gurgled above him. He yet clutched the treacherous reed in
his hand, and bore it with him into the deep. But there--yet again--as
if in the battle of struggling and wrestling life with the silent deep,
the dark figure reappeared from its watery grave; yet again it turned
its wild defying look up to the bright, silent, friendly moon, that
quietly and holily poured down her peaceful light, as well on the
passion-torn sons of man, as on the cold, slumbering, earth, and the
silver-gleaming stream. Yet again, a wild, blasphemous curse bubbled
from the ashen lips of the mulatto, and the convulsed body sank for ever
into the unceasingly further-rolling flood, as though nature would no
longer suffer that hideous distorted mask to abide further in the
wondrous harmony of her forms.
Their caution awakened by the flight of the mulatto, the Germans watched
their remaining prisoner with the greater attention and care, and the
whole of them now retired to Wolfgang's dwelling, partly to pass the
remainder of the night there, partly to maintain a fire, beside which
the remaining pursuers, whom they also expected to arrive shortly, might
warm and refresh themselves. However, hardly had Wolfgang completed the
arrangements for the convenience of his guests, before, to the surprise
of all, he led out his horse again, and told the men that he was about
to ride back to the settlement that very night, to communicate the happy
tidings of the result of their hunt to Madame Hehrmann, and relieve her
mind, for that the anxiety of the mother for her daughters so shamefully
carried off, must be boundless.
Pastor Hehrmann at first tried to prevent him, but as he probably was
alarmed for his poor wife himself, unless she should shortly receive
good tidings concerning her daughters, he ultimately offered himself as
a companion, and, notwithstanding Wolfgang positively declined this at
first, and affirmed that the pastor stood almost as much in need of rest
and care as his daughters, and that they must at all events have a
protector, yet the father was not deterred by that.
"I leave them to the care of their noble-minded preservers," he said,
grasping Werner's hand; "and to-morrow follow us as quickly as you
can--we shall await you impatiently."
Louisa was unwilling to part with her father, but surrounded by so many
friends, no further danger could threaten them, and to send tidings of
their safety was the very thing she had ardently wished. The two
horsemen, therefore, departed, and the remaining men divided themselves
into two watches, to relieve one another, so as not to be overpowered by
sleep. Werner, however, was excluded from these, for it now came out
that he had been wounded by Von Schwanthal's shot, and was very weak
from loss of blood. The wound, it is true, proved by no means dangerous,
yet it called for rest. Von Schwanthal, when he first heard of it, was
inconsolable, begged the young man's pardon a thousand times, offered to
keep watch himself all night, then abused the doctor and his base
accomplices again, and at last, proposed to permit their prisoner, who
probably knew some little of surgery, at all events, to use his hands so
far as to dress the wounded limb--the upper part of the right arm.
Werner had, meanwhile, found a much dearer and better doctor, than him
whom Von Schwanthal proposed--Bertha. Scarcely had she heard that the
young man was wounded--wounded on her account--before she quickly, and
with a strength which one would not have supposed her capable of, tore
off the linen kerchief which she wore lightly tied round her neck, and
begged--how could Werner resist such a request?--to be allowed to
examine, and bind up the wounded limb. Her sister lent a helping hand,
and Werner was ordered, notwithstanding all his opposition, to lie down
and rest himself, so that he might not catch cold, and the wound, which
then was not serious, be aggravated by inflammation. But he would not
agree to this on any condition--not even upon the persevering request of
the pretty girls; his place, he said, was beside the fire half the
night, but the other half with the watch, to preserve those from harm
whom he had been so fortunate as to save.
Accordingly, it was so done; the men relieved each other regularly,
although nothing suspicious further occurred, and, Normann was too
securely guarded to escape. It was not till the sun rose on the
following morning, in all his splendour and majesty, that they broke up
to depart, and to follow the tracks of the horsemen who had ridden on
before.
The only remaining horse was now applied to the use of the two young
ladies, and Bertha, with Louisa mounted behind her, sat as firmly in the
saddle as though she had been used to romp about on horseback from
infancy. But Werner walked by her side, and held the bridle of the
spirited horse, as it stamped along, or she might not have mustered
courage to do so. Normann was compelled to accompany the party with his
hands tied behind his back, and with Von Schwanthal marching close after
him; while the little negro was dispatched to the nearest town, to fetch
the sheriff, in order to deliver up the criminal into his hands. Scipio,
on the other hand, who had offered himself as their conductor, was to
keep up a good fire at the mouth of the Halchee, to collect the
scattered settlers, who, it was conjectured, had missed their way, and
bivouacked in the woods. Helldorf assured them that he was able readily
to find the road from the horse and wagon tracks.
Sure enough, the remaining pursuers of the kidnappers, although they had
not exactly lost themselves, yet had so entangled themselves in thickets
and briers, that they found it impossible to get on after darkness had
set in. Now they tumbled into a ditch, then stumbled over a branch or a
root, and tore their hands and faces in a most melancholy manner. In all
their troubles, they had kept closer and closer together, in order by
their mutual vicinity to keep off, in part at least, the uncomfortable
feeling which seized upon them, however brave they might be, when they
gazed into the surrounding darkness, whence now and then, wild, strange,
and sometimes fearful cries of animals resounded and filled them with
terror. By the next morning's light, however, they followed the course
of the Halchee, which brought them to the shores of the Mississippi,
where the trusty black received them, and gave them tidings of all that
had occurred.
The luggage of the three friends had been meanwhile got into Wolfgang's
house, and Scipio, who had first of all refreshed his guests with meat
and drink, conducted them, following the old wagon tracks, as Helldorf
had done, back to the settlement, where the poor little tailor took to
his bed at once, and, in consequence of the unusual exertion, had a
regular bone-shaking attack of the cold fever, or ague.
CHAPTER X.
THE MIGRATION.
We must now pass over a period of nearly a year, and I will merely
relate, in few words, what took place in the settlement and its
neighbourhood in the interim.
The sheriff, accompanied by two constables, had taken away Dr. Normann
to the county town, but the settlers found themselves, in consequence,
involved in infinite trouble, for almost every one of those who had
taken part in the pursuit and capture of that scoundrel was summoned to
give evidence upon oath, before the court; even Bertha and Louisa had to
go there, and Wolfgang subsequently often expressed his opinion that it
would have been better to have allowed him to pursue the course which he
had wished to take, and then there would have been no occasion for all
this trouble; Pastor Hehrmann, on the other hand, declared that he
willingly submitted to it all, for that his conscience could not now
accuse him of shedding, or of being party to the shedding of human
blood.
Dr. Normann, or Wæhler, as his name was discovered to be at the trial,
was found guilty by the jury, and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment
in the House of Correction; it is true, that he subsequently appealed to
the court of the United States, but without obtaining a more favourable
result, and in the early part of the following year, he was delivered
over in irons to the penitentiary of the state.
But how did it fare with the settlers, now that they had arrived in the
foreign, but much-wished-for country? Alas, ill enough! At first,
Helldorf and Schwarz had taken the greatest pains to induce them to
migrate to a healthier district, and that without further loss of time,
but the good folks would only profit by experience, and would first pass
through every successive stage of expectation deceived and hope
destroyed; without which practical lessons, Germans seldom follow
advice. As Helldorf and Schwarz, therefore, soon discovered that further
persuasion was not merely useless, but would even tend to confirm the
obstinate people in their stupid resolution, they gave up preaching of
colours to the blind, who could not see or comprehend them. Werner, on
the other hand, brought into nearer contact with the Hehrmanns, and
emboldened by his adventures and good fortune, sued for the little hand
of the dear, blushing Bertha, and the parents gave their cheerful and
willing assent, on condition that he should settle among them, and, like
themselves, become a farmer. Mindful, however, of the warnings of his
friends, and unwilling, besides, to cultivate a spot where the
inexperienced Germans had been banished by the fraud of a
fellow-countryman, he begged them to grant him a year's delay till he
should have founded a little home for himself, when he would fetch bride
and parents together, and would, with willing heart, work hard, in order
to have all the dear ones beside him.
Pastor Hehrmann, at that time, it is true, shook his head, and replied
very gravely, that he had, once for all, given his word to the
association, faithfully to stay beside them so long as they required
him, and he should be the last to go from so important and self-imposed
a duty. Helldorf, however, gave his opinion, with a laugh, that if there
were nothing else to detain him beside that, Pastor Hehrmann would, no
doubt, be a free and independent man, in the following year, and would
willingly accompany his son-in-law to a healthier climate, and
pleasanter neighbourhood; he, moreover, would warrant, that within a
year, Werner should have made a beginning on a sufficient little
property; and he longed not a little himself for the time when he should
become a neighbour of the families of Hehrmann and Werner.
Accordingly, matters remained thus for the present; Werner, after a stay
of about three weeks, cleared out,--accompanied by Schwarz and Helldorf,
and even by Wolfgang, the latter of whom, however, only intended to view
the country, and to return to the Mississippi, for the present,--across
to the southern part of Missouri, and there the three settled themselves
on the woody banks of the Big Black River.
They had worked and toiled there during three months or so, and with the
little capital which they possessed, and warned by the experience of
Helldorf and Schwarz, they had really performed wonders, when one day,
Werner got hold of that sealed letter of introduction, which was
directed to a distant relative of his own, settled but a few miles from
where they were living. Werner would hitherto, on no account, seek him
out, but now that his own circumstances looked rather more prosperous,
the wish occurred to him to make the acquaintance of the old man, of
whom his uncle had formerly often spoken to him.
Dr. Wisslock resided, although he had but little intercourse with the
neighbourhood, on the high road leading from St. Louis to Arkansas, and
was reputed, as Werner had learnt from some of his neighbours, not only
to be the possessor of a very considerable farm, and much property, but
also, although very eccentric, to be a very good-hearted man.
It was a Sunday, when Werner determined to look him up, and with the
letter in his pocket, he reached, just before dinner-time, the neat and
well-kept fence of the fields of Indian corn, between which, a straight,
broad road led to the homestead. Werner followed this, and arrived
before the house, threw his horse's bridle over a rack erected there
for the purpose, and after tapping twice at the door without receiving
an answer, stepped into the house, and from thence walked into a room,
the door of which stood ajar. Here he found himself at once in the
presence of his relative, Dr. Wisslock, introduced himself briefly and
pithily, and handed him the letter.
"Hem!" said the old man, when he had hastily skimmed through it--"hem?
What has the young gentleman learnt, that he comes dropping, as from the
clouds into the back woods in this way?--educated at a university--eh?"
Werner answered affirmatively.
"And now, all at once, wants to become a farmer?"
"A farmer's life has been described to me," replied the other, "by
several friends, as most suitable for a German."
"Oh, ah! Yes, I dare say!" growled Dr. Wisslock, nodding his head,
significantly; "I dare say, picturesque landscape--hanging woods and
rocks--creepers and wild vines--bleating herds, and bear's flesh--the
usual dream. You'll find out your mistake."
"I scarcely think so," said Werner, smiling; "what I have hitherto seen
of the country, pleases me much."
"You'll think differently when you come to handle the axe and the
plough," grumbled the old fellow, by no means more agreeably disposed by
this reply. "Here, in the woods, there is no getting on without work,
nor without right-down hard work either; we can't buy little niggers and
blackamoors, directly. Do you intend to settle?"
"It's already done," replied Werner, rather shortly, for the reception
of the old man began to displease him.
"Already done?" he asked, surprised, as he stopped a pinch of snuff
midway to his nose. "Already done! why, how long has the young gentleman
been in America, then?" and he opened the letter again, and looked at
its date.
"Almost a year, and for the last half-year I have been your neighbour,
though rather a distant one."
"Oh, the deuce!" exclaimed the old man, and a peculiar kind of movement
played round the corners of his mouth, "the deuce! Then you're perhaps
actually one of the three young Germans who have made such a good start
on the Black River?"
Werner nodded his head silently.
"Very glad to make your acquaintance," continued the old man, becoming
very friendly, and even hearty all at once,--"have heard nothing but
good report of all of you, and was shortly coming to see you. But be
seated, I beg, be seated. So you've carried the introduction about in
your pocket for half a year! Hem! why didn't you come to me at once?
"I had brought introductions to New York and Philadelphia," replied
Werner, "and seeing their result, or rather finding that they had no
result, and, as I now feel well enough, could have had none, I laid by
the rest of the letters in my box, and indeed shouldn't have delivered
this had it not been sealed, and had I not wished besides to make your
acquaintance."
"Hem--hem!" interjected the old man, and one could read in his looks how
pleased he was with the firm, manly behaviour of the young
man--"hem--hem! very reasonable that--must dine with me
first--afterwards I'll take a ride over with you to the Black River--can
sleep there, I suppose--eh? Should like to see your housekeeping
there--hem--hem!--three bachelors--eh? Heaven have mercy upon us!--there
is but one here, and even with him things are bad enough."
The old man chatted away for a long time in his peculiar, but
good-tempered style, and actually trotted over to the "Three Mens'
Farm," (as it was called in the vicinity, from the three proprietors,)
that same evening.
But Dr. Wisslock was not the man to let the matter drop there. If Werner
had brought the letter to him at first, and so, if not directly, still
to a certain extent indirectly, challenged him to assist him, he might
perhaps have met him with the usual American saying, "Help thyself!" But
here was quite a different case--the young man did not want him; he had
proved that he did not want him, and was only come there to make his
acquaintance--that sounded quite differently. Besides, Werner knew
nothing of a clause which was appended to the letter, and which his old
uncle had _not_ read to him with the rest.
The Doctor, as he was briefly styled in all the country round, now took
a very particular interest in the plans of the three young people, whom
he liked more and more upon further acquaintance. He inquired about one
thing and the other, and made himself intimately acquainted with all,
and not only helped them with excellent advice, but also subsequently,
cheerfully, and with good will, by act and deed. Meanwhile, he had
ascertained all the particulars, as well concerning the joint-stock
settlement, as of Werner's love, and the worthy family of the Hehrmanns.
But from that moment forward, he urged and urged Werner to go across and
fetch the Hehrmanns out of the swamps, and put them in train to become
acquainted with the _real_ life in the west, that they might not in
those poisonous swamps imbibe a distaste for the noble woods. But Werner
knew but too well that Hehrmann would never desert the settlement so
long as the colony had existence, however few the members might be of
which it might consist.
Besides, he had firmly resolved not to return to the Halchee until he
should be in a position to earn his livelihood, and subsist
independently; such was, however, not yet the case, and full six months
more elapsed before he had erected a little dwelling on his own land,
and had procured all kinds of necessary implements. But when that was
done the old man left him no more peace, and he and Helldorf, who
volunteered as his companion, set out one fresh sunny morning in Autumn,
after nearly a year's absence, to visit his sweetheart, and, with the
parents' blessing, to fetch her home to his quiet cheerful house.
Mounted on hardy ponies, the two friends trotted freshly and merrily
along through the autumnal forest canopy, and although the wondrous
splendour of colour of the foliage, and the thousand various tints of
the fading leaves, now and then riveted their eyes, distracting the gaze
to and fro, and although they could hardly sufficiently admire the
constantly fresh beauties which were presenting themselves, still they
did not, on that account, stay the course of their horses, and after a
difficult ride through the Mississippi swamps, which, although then dry,
were yet overgrown with rank vegetation, reached the broad stream, took
advantage of a ferry kept up near the southern boundary of Kentucky, to
be set across, and now kept along the eastern shore, and at the foot of
the hills as far as Jackson, in order to avoid the low land, and not to
be further detained by the difficulties of the ground.
It was not until the fourth day that they entered upon the narrow bridle
path which the settlers, under Wolfgang's guidance, had in former times
marked out to the little town, by cutting blazes, or large pieces of
bark from the trees standing on this line. But the road, even when they
came quite into the vicinity of the settlement, seemed not to have been
used for a long time past; the blazes were grown over, and the yellow
leaves of Autumn covered, undisturbed, the slightest trace even of a
path. Helldorf smiled quietly to himself, and after they had ridden
silently for some time, merely observed--
"The young colony seems to keep itself pretty independent; at all
events, it does not seem to keep up much intercourse with the interior
of the country."
"Helldorf," said Werner, giving, at the same time, his own beast the
spurs, and pushing on beside his friend as a somewhat more open space
allowed of their riding abreast; "Helldorf, it seems to me as though the
young colony stood in no further connexion at all. I see no cattle
anywhere, nor, indeed, any traces of any having ever pastured here; no
axe is to be heard, no--but, hold!--what was that? That sounded like
one, at least; then, after all, I may have been mistaken."
The men halted for a moment to listen, and then heard distinctly enough
the distant, regular strokes of an axe. The sound came from the quarter
where the settlement lay, and as they now knew that they were near their
destination, they cantered cheerfully along through thorn and thicket,
no longer following the blazed trees, but the guidance of their own
hearing, into the woods.
"It still looks rather rural round the _town of Hoffnung_," said
Helldorf, as he was obliged to leap his nag over a great tree stem which
lay crosswise in his way. Werner made no reply, but raised himself in
the stirrups, and tried to get a view of the clearing, which began to be
discernible through the lighter bush.
But, good Heaven! how deserted, how forsaken, did that place look! Where
was the bustle and activity of a cheerful, industrious band of settlers,
who must be intent on carrying the stores of harvest to meet the
approaching winter? Where was the realization of those hopes which so
many had nursed and revelled in, whereby a glad provision was to be made
for them, and their children after them? Alas, they had all passed
away!--those plans and fancies, those bold castles in the air, those
notions of public spirit and friendship. Discord and ill will had sown
their seeds even in that secluded colony of the Mississippi swamp, or
rather the seed which had been long sown had sprung up, and ripened its
evil crop, and those expectations which had filled the hearts of the
better sort with cheerful confidence, and for which they had quitted
their native land and everything dear, had there dissolved away into an
evil, painful dream, and yonder stood the ruins, cold and bleak, staring
towards Heaven, as though they would testify to the hateful, evil
disposition of mankind.
"Good Heaven! what has happened here?" said Werner, as he drew in his
horse's reins in alarm--"where are all the people gone who formerly
animated this place?"
"Why, where should they be?" said Helldorf, shrugging his shoulders;
"dispersed in all quarters, as I foretold you. That does not surprise me
much; but that Pastor Hehrmann should not have let us know a word of his
having left the place--that does seem extraordinary."
"There's some one back yonder, chopping," said Werner; "his back is
towards us; now he turns this way. By all that's holy, _that's_
Hehrmann!--may I never see paradise if I did not recognise the face! But
how pale he looks!"
"Hehrmann, and alone here!" replied Helldorf, thoughtfully. "Well, we
will leave the horses behind awhile, for they won't be able to make
their way through this wild chaos of young shoots and old stumps; we can
then soon convince ourselves whether you are right. I hope, at least,
that it may be so; but let us advance--this uncertainty is dreadful."
The man, who had hitherto been chopping at a long stem, now lifted, with
evident difficulty, a heavy log which he had cut off, on to his
shoulder, and stepped with it towards the house; there, outside the
door, he put it down, and a young lad, who came running from another
corner of the clearing, helped him to carry in the load.
Helldorf and Werner hurried forward without exchanging another word, and
in a few minutes were in front of the door, which was opened from
within.
Hehrmann, who, with the assistance of Charles, the former glazier's
apprentice, had just placed the heavy back-log on the fire, stood with
his back towards them, but on his wife and daughters uttering a cry of
surprise, on seeing those who had approached, he turned quickly round
towards the door, and that with no presentiment of any good. But who
shall describe his joyful astonishment, when he recognised the dear and
long-wished for forms of those worthy men, for whose friendly voices he
had so often longed? Who can paint his feelings when he grasped Werner
and Helldorf's hands, and with a hearty, although certainly rather
tremulous voice, bade them a joyful, sincere "Welcome?"
And what said Bertha to this meeting? Oh, my dear reader, thou art not
to know everything; thou must rest satisfied with being told that Werner
had been a full hour in the house, and since he was first welcomed by
Bertha, and yet, as if in absence of mind, kept her little hand lying
warmly and firmly in his. Hast thou ever thus held a being that was
dear--very dear to thee? Then thou knowest what it means, and if thou
hast _not_--then, poor reader, then, any explanations or description
which I might give would not assist thee.
But how poor Werner's heart bled, when he learnt, as he now by degrees
did, the whole story of the sufferings of the young colony. The
prophecies with which those who meant them well had warned them, had
been but too soon fulfilled. Quarrels and discord broke out first when
the people discovered that they could not, as they had actually
supposed, become rich and independent in half a year, and the majority
would no longer work, as they declared that they had no occasion to
labour so hard for their own livelihood, and that they were not disposed
to toil for others of the "Gentry."
Becher had then, first of all, withdrawn himself from the affair, and
given up what he termed a hopeless business; Siebert, junior, had
followed him, and immediately afterwards the elder one had also
disappeared, and that, as Hehrmann, Herbold, and Von Schwanthal could
not conceal from the rest of the settlers, with a pretty considerable
portion of the common funds. Pastor Hehrmann had then had great
sacrifices to make, and gave up the greater part of his already much
diminished property to pacify those who made the loudest complaints, and
to stave off the ruin of all his hopes, which else would have taken
place at once. But what hurt him more than all was the ungrateful
conduct of those whom he had most obliged, whom he had most actively
supported. People who, without means of their own, had been hitherto
supported from the common stock of the society, showed themselves the
most discontented; the most embittered quarrels and disputes followed
the distaste for work, and although the better men among them, and
Hehrmann as the foremost of these, gave way, and again and again
endeavoured to restore a good understanding--although representations
and even prayers were wasted upon the disturbers, it was in vain. "We
are all equal here," was the eternal answer; "and if I'm to toil and
moil here, I should like to know what for," said the stupid fellows, who
either could not, or would not see, that by such bad faith they not only
destroyed the society, but also brought the greatest evils upon
themselves, as they now went off without knowing the language, without
money, and without friends, into a strange country, and had to toil and
plague themselves for yet stranger people, and that, perhaps, for six or
seven dollars a month, and without receiving either thanks or a friendly
word in return. Von Schwanthal had left later, in order to see Arkansas;
for an American, who had passed through, had told him so much of the
shooting in Arkansas, that he could no longer resist the newly awakened
and mighty love of hunting any longer. He embarked himself and his
baggage, after having formally taken leave of the colony, for Little
Rock, and intended, as he had told Pastor Hehrmann at parting, to lead a
regular hunter's life in the new state.
Becher had gone to New Orleans, and the rest gradually dispersed to all
quarters of the compass. Hehrmann saw them, one after another, take
their leave, or even forsake the place without leave-taking; but when he
was left almost alone, and wished himself to seek a better, healthier
home, when his last friend had disappeared with Wolfgang, who had
cleared out for Missouri as late as seven months since, he found, to his
alarm, that he no longer possessed the means. He had given away
everything--sacrificed all, in order that he might not see his favourite
plan, the union of Germans in, a fraternal society, founder. He had,
when they learnt from Buffalo that the things left behind there were
gone, and could not be traced, and the landlord pretended to know
nothing about anything of the kind--when subsequently link after link
of the chain fell away, when those forsook him on whom he had calculated
most--even when ridicule or contemptuous laughter met his ear, he had
never hesitated. "We are melted down to a few," he used to say to those
few, "but we can yet prove that people who religiously are in earnest in
the good cause, can carry it through in spite of the greatest
difficulties."
But he soon discovered that those who continued with him were, for the
most part, merely compelled to do so, because they did not possess a
single dollar wherewith to pay their passage anywhere else, and gladly
seized upon the first opportunity which offered, without troubling
themselves much as to what became of Pastor Hehrmann and his family,
whom they left alone in the swamps.
One only continued with them honestly and faithfully--one only never
forgot how well, how kindly he had been taken by the hand by this
family, when he himself stood alone and friendless. This was Charles,
the former glazier's apprentice, and richly did he requite all the
benefits he had received, especially during the past summer, when Pastor
Hehrmann, himself, was confined to his bed for weeks, by fever. Oh, how
often, how ardently had they longed for Werner to come back--that he
might keep his word, and seek them again in their now disconsolate
solitude! Alas! the mother had already begun to doubt, and had said--
"You'll see, my child; he has acted like the rest of them; he has gone
off, far, far away, and no longer thinks of those, formerly his so dear
friends, whom he has left behind."
"Or, perhaps, lies ill and helpless himself among strangers," worthy
Hehrmann would then usually interrupt her, for still he never could make
up his mind to think ill of any one, unless, as, alas! had latterly
often been the case, he was compelled to do so, against his will. Bertha
would on such occasions stealthily press her father's hand, and wipe a
tear from her eye, for still she did not doubt her lover's word; but the
idea that he might be ill and suffering, might stand in need of her
help, that alone it was which pained her, and which, however much she
might strive against it, oppressed her with melancholy.
Louisa, too, who had, by this time, grown up to full, blooming
womanhood, had latterly become strikingly sad and melancholy, and had
even, when the conversation turned upon Werner and his friends, several
times left the room, and afterwards returned, with eyes dimmed and red
with crying.
Such was the posture of affairs at the "Hoffnung," or "Hope," as they
had (with so little presentiment of the result) named the town, which,
indeed, was destined to remain a hope, merely. But Werner and Helldorf
now sat down beside Hehrmann, who in this one year seemed to have added
ten to his age, and spoke to him of courage and comfort.
"You cannot stay here any longer," said Helldorf, at last. "Wolfgang,
too, has particularly commissioned us to bring you away, at all events.
We have capital land, in Missouri, and although not adequately
furnished, still have such conveniences as a farmer in the woods needs.
A farm lies ready for you: you can begin to work, and till it, at once;
cattle there are also; so that with what yet remains here----"
"Oh, my good Mr. Helldorf!" said Hehrmann, shrugging his shoulders, "it
would certainly be difficult to begin with what remains here. Not a
single head remains--not even a single horse, to perform the most
needful work. The people have left me nothing, and what cows and pigs we
had, were all eaten half-a-year ago. I would gladly have bought a cow
again, in order to have milk for my family, at least--but, in the first
place, I could not spare time to leave the farm so long, and then I
doubted whether the price might not be beyond my means. Our ready money
has, perhaps through our own fault, very much dwindled down."
"Hem!" said Helldorf, reflectively, not wishing to let it be seen how
much all that he heard pained him; "hem--then matters are indeed come to
extremity. But, my dear Mr. Hehrmann, don't let that trouble you; you
have purchased experience dearly, it is true, but yet, perhaps, not too
dearly; you are all still healthy, you know; consider how it fared with
poor Wolfgang. No; from henceforward, I trust a better life is in store
for you. You will come with us--won't you?"
"Gladly, to a healthier climate," replied he. "I have done all that God
or man can require of me, and now I owe it to my family to lead them
hence; in order to do so, I certainly stand much in need of your help,
but, if I keep my health, be assured that you will not have obliged one
who will be ungrateful."
"Enough, enough!" said Helldorf, smiling; "who knows how soon we may not
hold you to your word."
"But what is to become of Charles?" asked Madame Hehrmann--"we cannot
leave the poor boy here all alone."
"No, certainly not," said Werner; "he shall go with us, and if he has a
liking for farming, shall found a home for himself; so far as it is in
our power to help him, he may rely upon us. That he has kept with you so
honestly and faithfully deserves not only our warmest thanks, but also
some return, and he shall never find us behindhand."
The preparations for removal were soon made; the little which the
settlers had left Pastor Hehrmann, and which was really worth carriage,
such as the clothes and linen of the family (of which, however, very
much had been carried off) was got together. But the little
family-council, which was called for the purpose, really did not know
how that little was to be transported as far as the Mississippi, as the
horses could not possibly carry all, and the road was too long to make
more than one journey. At this juncture, Helldorf made a suggestion
which was immediately accepted, and quickly put into execution--namely,
to form a light raft on the then swollen Halchee, to cover it with the
boards which roofed the house, and upon this to float down their whole
stock. They had no occasion to chop trees for this purpose, but took a
small log-hut rudely erected for storing Indian corn, but which, as no
Indian corn had been yet raised, had never been used, carried the short
and not very heavy stems to the rivulet, tied them together with such
ropes as yet remained, and soon found that the new construction answered
its purpose admirably.
The things were then made fast upon it, and Helldorf and Charles
undertook to steer it down stream. Werner and Hehrmann were to lead the
little caravan towards the Mississippi, for which the two saddles were
by ingenious contrivances turned into side saddles. One of these was
occupied by Madame Hehrmann, and Bertha and Louisa occupied the other by
turns.
Helldorf had wished, at first, to take the women with him upon the raft,
upon which they certainly might have performed the journey very
smoothly. And the otherwise so bashful Louisa had been quite ready to
throw aside all fear, and to confide herself to the care of the new
captain of the raft, as he called himself in joke; but Madame Hehrmann
feared to trust herself to so fragile a conveyance, and the land journey
consequently received the preference.
They reached the stream without any accident, and were there compelled
to avail themselves of Wolfgang's almost ruinous hut, to avoid an
approaching storm, and to await the arrival of a steamer, going up
stream. Fortunately, the latter happened first. It was the Marmion, a
dreadfully slow boat, which crept along the shore like a snail, but, on
that very account, landed anywhere whenever a signal was made to take in
passengers or goods. She was bound for Cincinnati, and they availed
themselves of her as far as Benton, in Missouri, landed there, hired a
large carrier's wagon, to the teamster of which they entrusted their
whole luggage, bought some more horses, and then prosecuted their
journey quickly, and without further hindrance.
They thus reached a spot, within about a mile of their future abode,
where speculative heads had, in earlier times, planned a town which did
not answer, and was abandoned. An old Yankee lived by himself upon the
spot, and had planted the clearing, destined for public buildings, with
Indian corn.
Here, to Werner's astonishment, Dr. Wisslock came to meet them, saluted
the company very politely, and then, as opportunity occurred, appeared
to have much and important business to discuss with Helldorf. The latter
had not left Louisa's side during the whole ride from Benton, and must
have had a great many very interesting things to tell her, for the two
had often, out of mere absence of mind, lagged several hundred yards in
the rear, and could only be brought up with the main body by repeated
shouts and signals.
Werner could not imagine what, in the name of wonder, could have induced
Dr. Wisslock to ride thus far to meet them, and then to carry on this
conversation aside, which surely could have very well kept till the end
of their journey. But he did not remain long in the dark as to the
object of this mysterious conduct, for Helldorf suddenly advanced toward
the Hehrmann family, who were encamped under a wide spreading hickory,
and proposed--Werner's astonishment may be conceived--formally for
Louisa's hand!
"And in order that you, dear father," he turned to him, "may no longer
stand alone in the world--in order that you may not be forsaken by your
_children_ also, as others have forsaken you, come and live with me, on
my farm, and we will conduct our farming together, so that it shall be a
pleasure to us both, and so that you may look forward with courage and
confidence to an old age, cheerful and free from care."
"I protest against that," exclaimed Werner, without leaving any one else
time to speak. "I have priority--you come with me and Bertha; or, if you
won't do that--at least, live alternately with each, so that each of
your children may enjoy your society."
"Hallo there, young gentleman!" said Dr. Wisslock, who had by this time
approached, and taken hold of Werner's arm. "First of all, that young
lady yonder, who has suddenly turned so red, has got a word to say, and
then we two have also a crow to pick together."
"We two?" said Werner, astonished.
"Yes, we two," continued the old man, without losing his gravity, whilst
Louisa, as if dyed in crimson, hid her blushing face in her mother's
bosom, and at last, when Helldorf again and again pressed her, merely
reached him her little hand without looking at him or changing her
posture.
"But, my dear doctor, what, in the first place, have you to say to me?"
"That I'll explain directly to the young gentleman. Does he suppose that
he brings me a letter, in which my cousin--but that would be a secondary
matter--no, the best friend of my youth--charges me, by all that I hold
dear, to care for him as for a son!"
"But, my good----"
"Hear me out!--to care for him as for a son, I say. Does the young
gentleman suppose that I have so quickly forgotten all that I owe his
old uncle? and that is all I possess. No, indeed! In order, however,
that I may, in discharging a portion of my obligation, yet derive a
benefit from it, I have planned the thing in this way:--The young
gentleman marries Pastor Hehrmann's elder daughter, and goes to live on
my farm, which he----"
"Doctor----"
"Hear me out, I say!--which he uses and works as though it were his own.
But the old doctor, with whom ploughing and chopping have not exactly
agreed for the last two years, must be fed and nursed until his end, in
return for which he engages besides to find the young gentleman and his
family in medicine and medical attendance during any illnesses which may
occur--_without_ the use of calomel--and gratis. When I happen to die,
of course he inherits what I have scraped together here; but it is to be
hoped that he will have quite enough to do with me, and can very well
afford to leave his wife's parents to their other son, whom, by-the-bye,
he may always take as a pattern for himself. So now the young gentleman
may speak--is he content?"
"Dear doctor--your goodness--you--you heap benefits upon me which--I
really don't know--Bertha----"
"Well, of course, that's understood," the doctor quickly interrupted
him; "you must first ask your bride whether she will undertake the
arduous office of sick nurse to an old man like me--she of course has
the principal voice in the matter, for hers will be the greatest burthen
and trouble. Well, miss," he said, turning with gravity to the charming
girl, "Do you say 'Yes' or 'No,' to the bargain?"
Bertha, with agitated feelings, seized the old man's hand, and assured
him, that she would always be a good, faithful daughter to him. This so
pleased the doctor, that he first looked kindly and fixedly in her
bright eyes, and then, all at once, without further warning, took hold
of her head, and gave her a hearty kiss.
Is there any need of further description of these happy people?
Hardly--Love and Friendship made to them their rude home in the woods a
paradise, and the old doctor, who had been already vegetating there for
many long years past, forsaken and alone, completely revived, in the
midst of them, to a new and almost-forgotten existence.
What became of the other settlers remained for the most part unknown.
Von Schwanthal had gone to Arkansas, as already mentioned; the elder
Siebert was subsequently met by Becher in New Orleans, but he was not
destined long to enjoy the fruits of his breach of trust; he died of
yellow fever, and was robbed, by a mulatto woman, who had waited on him
during his brief sickness, of everything which he called his, and, by
reason of total absence of funds, was earthed away with a thousand
others whom "Yellow Jack" had swept off about the same time, in the
Potter's field, in a wet, swampy soil. The brewer made his way to
Cincinnati, and was quite hearty, when the shoemaker subsequently met
him there; Herbold, too, started a distillery, somewhere in Ohio state,
and Schmidt was, after a lapse of some years, reported to have been seen
in Illinois. The poor tailor fared, perhaps, the most strangely; he was
very lucky at first, went to Little Rock, got work there, and earned so
much money that he was enabled to begin business on his own account, in
a small way; but then bad times came, money got scarce, and saving had
to be practised, to which rule of conduct, Meier, who, by this time, had
begun to play the dandy a little, would, on no account, conform. The
natural consequence did not fail to ensue: he got into debt, and
accepted an offer of marriage from a rather elderly lady, on condition
that she should pay his debts; this was done, and Meier was now to
become a happy husband. But not wishing to carry the joke to that
length, he endeavoured to escape southward, on a steamer which happened
to be there at the time, but was discovered, and, on that very day,
united in the holy bands of matrimony to his forgiving bride.
Next year, they learnt that Dr. Normann, or Wæhler--perhaps even that
was not his real name--had been transferred to the Penitentiary of the
State; but of Turner, no further trace was ever found, save that Pastor
Hehrmann affirmed at a subsequent period that he had seen him at St.
Louis, whither he had gone on business; he had too quickly disappeared
again, however, for the former to make himself certain of the fact. Nor
did any one know the name there.
But what cared the happy ones about these scoundrels? They left them to
their own shame and dishonour, and to the contempt of all good and
honest men; whilst they themselves toiled and laboured on, in their
allotted, although narrow sphere of life, according to the best of
their ability, and the "Three Men's Farm," as the settlement still
continued to be called--when Schwarz, too, afterwards sought unto
himself, from among the daughters of the land, a dear little wife--was
soon reputed to be one of the best in the United States.
THE END.
T. C. Savill, Printer, 4, Chandos-street, Covent-garden.
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