 Book 1, Chapter 1 of the Crossing by Winston Churchill. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, visit LibriVox.org. Read by Bob Rollins of Augusta, Georgia. Book 1, The Borderland. Chapter 1, The Blue Wall. I was born under the Blue Ridge and under that side which is blue in the evening light, in a wild land of game and forest and rushing waters. There on the borders of the creek that runs into the Yatkin River, in a cabin that was chinked with red mud, I came into the world a subject of King George III, in that part of his realm known as the province of North Carolina. The cabin reeked of corn cone and bacon in the odor of pelts. It had two shakedowns on one of which I slept under a bear skin. A rough stone chimney was reared outside and the fireplace was as long as my father was tall. There was a crane in it and a baked kettle and over it great buck horns held my father's rifle when it was not in use. On other horns hung jerked bears meat and venison hands and gourds for drinking cups and bags of seed and my father's best hunting shirt. Also in a neglected corner, several articles of women's attire from pegs. These once belonged to my mother. Among them was a gown of silk of a fine faded pattern over which I was wont to speculate. The women at the crossroads, twelve miles away, were dressed in coarse butternut wool and huge sunbonnets. But when I questioned my father on these matters he would give me no answers. My father was, how shall I say what he was, to this day I can only surmise many things of him. He was a Scotchman born and I know now that he had a slight Scotch accent. At the time of which I rise to my early childhood he was a frontiersman and hunter. I can see him now with his hunting shirt and leggings and moccasins. His powder horn engraved with wondrous scenes, his bullet pouch and tomahawk and hunting knife. He was a tall, lean man with a strange sad face. And he talked little safe when he drank too many horns as they were called in that country. These lapses of my father's were a perpetual source of wonder to me, and I must say of delight. They occurred only when a passing traveler who hid his fancy chanced that way, or what was almost as rare, a neighbor. Many a winternight I'd lain awake under the skins listening to the flow of language that felt me spellbound though I understood scarce a word of it. Virtuous and vicious every man must be, few in the extreme, but all in a degree. The chanced neighbor or traveler was no less struck with wonder. And many the time had I heard the query at the crossroads and elsewhere. Or Alec Trimble got it learning. The truth is my father was an optic of suspicion to the frontiersman. Even as a child I knew this and resented it. He had brought me up in solitude and I was old for my age, learned in some things far beyond my years, and ignorant of others. I should have known I loved the man passionately. In the long winter evenings when the howl of wolves and painters rose as the wind lulled, he taught me to read from the Bible and the pilgrim's progress. I can see his long, slim fingers on the page. They seemed but ill-fitted for the life he led. The love of rhythmic language was somehow born into me. And many is the time I've held watch in the cabin day and night while my father was away on his hunts, spelling out the verses that have since become part of my life. As I grew older I went with him into the mountains off and on his back and spent the nights in open camp with my little moccasins drying at the blaze. So I learned to skin a bear and fleece off the fat for oil with my hunting knife and cure a deer skin and follow a trail. At seven I even shot the long rifle with a rest. I learned to endure cold and hunger and fatigue and to walk in silence over the mountains. My father never saying a word for days ever spelled. And often when he opened his mouth it would be to recite a verse of popes in a way that moved me strangely. For a poem is not a poem unless it is well spoken. In the hot days of summer over against the dark forest a bright green of our little patch of Indian corn rippled in the wind. And towards night I would often sit watching the deep blue of the mountain wall and dream of the mysteries of the land that lay beyond. And by chance one evening as I set thus my father reading in the twilight a man stood before us. So silently had he come up the path leading from the brook that we had not heard him. Presently my father looked up from his book that did not rise. As for me I had been staring for some time in astonishment where he was a better looking man than I had ever seen. He wore a deer skin hunting shirt dyed black. But in place of a coon skin cap with a tail hanging down. A hat. His long rifle rested on the ground and he held a roan horse by the rival. Howdy neighbor. He said I recall a fear that my father would not fancy him. In such cases he would give a stranger food and leave him to himself. My father's whims were past understanding. But he got up. Good evening he said. The visitor looked a little surprised as I had seen many do at my father's accent. Neighbor said he can you keep me overnight. Come in said my father. We sat down at our supper of corn and beans and venison of all of which our guest ate sparingly. He too was a silent man and scarcely a word was spoken during the meal. Several times he looked at me with such a kindly expression in his blue eyes. A trace of a smile around his broad mouth that I wished he might stay with us always. But once when my father said something about Indians his eyes grew hard as flint. It was then I remarked with a boy's wonder that despite his dark hair he had yellow eyebrows. After supper the two men sat on the log step. While I said about the task of skinning the deer my father had shot that day. Presently I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. What's your name lad? He said. I told him Davey. Davey I'll learn your trick worth a little time. Said he whipping out a knife. In a trice the red carcass hung between the fork stakes. While I stood with my mouth open he turned to me and laughed gently. Someday you'll cross the mountains and skin 20 of an evening. He said. He'll make a woodman sure. You've got the eye in the hand. This little piece of praise from him made me hot all over. Game rare. Said he to my father. None so good now said my father. I reckon not. My cabin's on Beaver Creek some 40 mile above and games going there too. Sentiments said my father. But presently with a few whips of his pipe he added. I hear fine things of this land across the mountains that the Indians call the dark and bloody ground. And well named. Said the stranger. But a brave country. Said my father. And all tramped down with game. I hear that Daniel Boone and others have gone into it and come back with marvelous tales. They tell me Boone was there alone three months. He's something of a man. You can him. The ruddy face of the stranger who ruddy or still. My name's Boone. He said. But my father. It wouldn't be Daniel. You guessed it. I reckon my father rose without a word went into the cabin and immediately reappeared with a flask and a couple of gourds one of which he handed to our visitor. Tell me about it. Said he. That was the fairytale of my childhood. Far into the night I lay on the dewy grass listening to Mr. Boone's talk. It did not at first flow in a steady stream for he was not a garrulous man. But my father's questions presently fired his enthusiasm. I recall but little of it being so small a land. But I crept closer and closer until I could touch this superior being who had been beyond the wall. Marco Polo was no greater wonder to the Venetians than Boone to me. He spoke of leading wife and children and setting out for the unknown with other woodsmen. He told how crossing over our blue western wall into a valley beyond he found a warrior's path through a gap across another range and so down into the farthest of promise lands. And as he talked he lost himself in the tale of it and the very quality of his voice changed. He told of a land of wooded hill and pleasant veil of clear water running over limestone down to the great river beyond the Ohio. A land of glaze the fields of which were piled with flowers of wondrous beauty where roamed the buffalo in countless thousands where elk and deer abounded and turkeys and feather game and bear in the tall bricks of cane. And simply he told how when the others had left him he stayed for three months roaming the hills alone with nature herself. But did you know me the Indians asked my father I see one fishing on the log once said our visitor laughing but he fell into the water. I reckon he was drowned. My father nodded comprehendingly even admiringly and again said he well said Mr. Boone. We fell in with a party of shoneys going back to their lands north of the great river. The critters took all we had. It was hard. He added reflectively I'd stick my fortune on the vendor and we've got enough skins to make us rich but neighbor there's land enough for you and me as black and rich as Canaan. The Lord is my shepherd said my father that sing into verse the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He leadeth me into green pastures and besides still waters. For time there were silent each rat in his own thought while the crickets chirped and the frog sang from the distant forest came the mournful hoot of an owl and are you going back asked my father presently I that I am there are many families on the atkin below going to and you neighbor you might come with us. Dave is the boy that would thrive in that country. My father did not answer. It was late indeed when we lay down to rest and the night I spent between waking and dreaming of the wonderland beyond the mountains hoping against hope that my father would go. The son was just flooding the scopes when our guest rose to leave and my father made him God speed with a heartiness that was rare to him. But to my bitter regret neither spoke of my father's going being a man of understanding Mr. Boone knew it were little use to press. He patted me on the head your wise lad Davey said he hope we shall meet again. He mounted his ron and rode away down the slope waving his hand to us and it was with a heavy heart that I went to feed our white mayor winning for food in the lean to end of chapter one book one chapter two of the crossing by Winston Churchill. This labor box recording is in the public domain chapter two wars and rumors of wars and so our life went on the same but yet not the same for I had the land of Thomas to dream of and as I went about my task I conjured up in my mind pictures of its beauty. You will forget what back was boys self-centered for lack of wider interest and with a little imagination. Bear hunting with my father and an occasional trip on the white mayor 12 miles to the crossroads for salt and other necessities were the only diversions to break the routine of my days but at the crossroads to they were talking of Kentucky for so the land was called the dark and bloody ground. The next year came a war on the frontier waged by Lord Dunmore governor of Virginia of this likewise I heard at the crossroads though few from our parts seem to have gone to it and I heard there for rumors spread over mountains that men blazing in the new land were in danger that my hero Boone was gone out to save them but in the autumn came tidings of a great battle far to the north and of the Indians suing for peace. The next year came more tidings of a sort I did not understand I remember once bringing back from the crossroads a crumpled newspaper which my father read again and again and then folded up and put in his pocket he said nothing to me of these things but the next time I went to the crossroads the woman asked me is your father the Congress what's that said I I reckon he ain't said the woman Targley I recall her dimly a slattern creature in a loose gown and bare feet wife of the storekeeper in Wagoner with a swarm of urchins about her they were all very natural to me thus and I remember a battle with one of these urchins in the briars an affair which did not add to the love of their family for hours there was no money in that country and the store took our pelts in exchange for what we needed from civilization once a month what I load these pelts on the white mare and make the journey by the path down the creek at times I met other settlers there some of them not long from Ireland with the brogues still in their mouths and again I saw the Wagoner with his great canvas covered wagon standing at the door ready to start for the town 60 miles away because he brought the news of this latest war one day I was surprised to see the Wagoner riding up the path to our cabin crying out for my father for he was a violent man and a violent scene followed they remained for a long time within the house and when they came out the Wagoner's face was red with rage my father too was angry but no more talkative than usual you say I'll not help the congress shouted the Wagoner I'll not said my father you live to rue this day Alec Trimble cried the man you may think you're too fine for the likes of us but there's them in the settlement that knows about she with that he flung himself on his horse and rode away but the next time I went to the crossroads the woman drove me away with curses and called me an aristocrat where really I trapped back the dozen miles up the creek beside the mayor carrying my pelts with me stumbling on the stones and stretched by the dry briars for it was autumn the woods all red and yellow against the green of the pines I sat down beside the old beaver dam to gather courage to tell my father but he only smiled bitterly when he heard it nor would he tell me what the word aristocrat meant that winter we spent without bacon and our salt gave out at Christmas it was at this season if I remember rightly that we had another visitor he arrived about nightfall one gray day his horse jaded and cut and he was dressed all in wool with a great coat wrapped about him and high boots this made me stare at him when my father drew back the bolt of the door he too stared and fell back a step come in said he you can me alec said the man he was a tall spare man like my father a Scotchman but his hair was in a queue come in Duncan said my father quietly Davey run out for wood lope as I was to go I obeyed as I came back dragging a log behind me I heard them in argument and in their talk there was much about the congress and a woman named flora mcdonald and a british fleet sailing southward we'll have two thousand highlanders and more to meet the fleet and he'll sit at home in this hovel you've made you wrestle and he glanced about disdainfully and no help the king he brought his fist down on the pine boards you did no help the king greatly at cloud and Duncan said my father dryly our visitor did not answer at once the ackee rebels had no help the house of steward said he presently and head over to come to stay are you to a rebel alec richie I remember wondering why he said richie I'll no take a hand in this fight answered my father and that was the end of it the man left with scant ceremony I guiding him down the creek to the main trail he did not open his mouth until I parted with him poor Davey said he and rode away in the night for the moon shone through the clouds I remember these things I supposed because I had nothing else to think about and the names stuck in my memory intensified by later events until I began to write a diary and now I come to my travels as the spring drew on I had had a feeling that we could not live thus forever with no market for our pelts and one day my father said to me abruptly Davey will be traveling where I asked he'll can soon enough said he will go at crack a day we went away in the wild dawn leaving the cabin desolate we loaded the white mare with the pelts and my father wore a woollen suit like that of our scotch visitor which I had never seen before he had clubbed his hair but strangest of all he carried in a small parcel the silk gown that had been my mother's we had scant other baggage we crossed the yatkin at a ford and climbing the hills to the south of it we went down over stony traces down and down through rain and sun stopping at rude cabins or taverns until we came into the valley of another river this I know now was the katoba my members of that ride are as misty as the spring weather in the mountains but presently the country began to open up into broad fields some of these abandoned to pines and at last splashing through the stiff red clay that was up to the mayor's fedlocks we came to a place called charlotte town what a day that was for me and how I gaped at the houses there finer than any I had ever dreamed of that was my first sight of a town and how I listened open mouth to the gentleman at the tavern one I recall had a fighting head with a lock awry and a negro servant to wait on him and was the principal spokesman he too was talking of war the cherries had risen on the western border he was telling of the massacre of a settlement in no mild language sirs he cried the british have stirred the redskins to this will you sit here while women and children are scalped and those devils he called them worse names steward and cameron go unpunished my father got up from the corner where he sat and stood beside the man I can at a cameron said he the man looked at him with amazement I said he I shouldn't think you'd own it damn him he cried if we catch him we'll skin him alive I can cameron my father repeated and I'll gang with you to skin him alive the man seized his hand and rung it but first I must be in charlestown said my father the next morning we sold our pelts and though the mayor was tired we pushed southward eye behind the saddle I had much to think about wondering what was to become of me while my father went to skin cameron I had not the least doubt that he would do it the world is a storybook to a lad of nine and the thought of charlestown filled me with a delight unspeakable perchance he would leave me in charlestown at nightfall we came into a settlement called the wax halls and there being no tavern there and the mayor being very jaded in the roads heavy we cast about for a place to sleep the sunlight slanting over the pine forest glistened on the pools in the wet fields and it's so chanced that splashing across these swinging a milk pail over his head shouting at the top of his voice was a red-headed lad of my own age my father hailed him and he came running towards us still shouting and vaulted the rails he stood before me eyeing me with a most mischievous look in his blue eyes and dabbling in the red mud with his toes I remember I thought him a queer looking boy he was lanky and he had a very long face under his tussled hair my father asked him where he could spend the night well said the boy I reckon Uncle Crawford might take in and again he might he ran ahead still swinging the pail and we following came at length to a comfortable looking farmhouse as we stopped at the doorway a stout motherly woman filled it she held her knitting in her hand you andy she cried have you fetched the milk and he tried to look repentant I declare I'll tan you said the lady get out this instant what rescality have you been in I fetched home visitors maw said andy visitors cried the lady what did your uncle Crawford say and she looked at us smiling but with no great hostility pardon me madam said my father if we seem to intrude but my mare is tired and we have no word to say uncle Crawford did take us in he was a man of substance in that country a north of Ireland man by birth if I remember right I went to bed with the red-headed boy whose name was andy jackson I remember that his mother came into our little room under the eaves and made andy say his prayers and me after him but when she was gone out andy stumped his toe getting into bed in the dark and swore with a brilliancy and vehemence that astonished me it was some hours before we went to sleep he applying me with questions about my life which seemed to interest him greatly and I returning in kind now pause dead said andy he came from a part of Ireland where they're all weavers we're kind of poor relations here and Crawford sick and maw keeps house but uncle Crawford's good and lets me go to charlottown with him sometimes I recall that he also boasted some of that his big brothers who were away just then andy was up at times in the morning to see a start but we didn't start because mr. Crawford insisted that the white mare should have a half day's rest andy being hustled off unwillingly to the old field school made me go with him he was a very headstrong boy I was very anxious to see a school this one was only a log house in a poor piney place with a rabble of boys and girls romping at the door but when they saw us they stopped andy jumped into the air letting out a war hoop and flung himself into the midst scattering them right and left and knocking one boy over and over I'm billy buck he cried I'm a whole regiment of rangers let the Cherokees mind me way for sandy andy cried the boys where'd you get the new boys andy his name's davie said andy and his paws going to fight the Cherokees he can nick tarnation out of any of you meanwhile I held back never having been thrown with so many of my own kind he shot panthers and bears said andy and skinned them can you lick him smally I reckon not now I had not come to the school for fighting so I held back fortunately for me smally held back also but he tried skillful tactics he can throw you sandy andy faced me in an instant can you said he there was nothing to do but try and in a few seconds we were rolling on the ground to the huge delight of smally and the others andy shouting all the while and swearing we rolled and rolled and rolled in the mud until we both lost our breath and even andy stopped swearing or wanted it after a while the boys were silent and the thing became grim earnest at length by some accident rather than my own strength both his shoulders touched the ground I released him but he was on his feet in an instant and at me again like a wildcat andy won't stay throed shouted a boy and before I knew it he had my shoulders down in a puddle then I went for him and the affairs were growing more serious than a wrestle when smally fancying himself safe and no doubt having a grudge shouted out tell him he slobbers davie andy did slobber but that was the end of me in the beginning of smally and he left me instantly not without an intimidation that he would come back and proceeded to cover smally with red clay and blood however in the midst of this turmoil the school master arrived hailed both into the schoolhouse held court and flogged andrew with considerable gusto he pronounced these words afterwards with great solemnity andrew jackson if I catch you fighting once more I'll be having that giving you have to leave the school I parted from andy at noon with real regret he was the first boy with whom I've ever had any intimacy and I admired him chiefly I fear for his fluent use of profanity and his fighting qualities he was a merry lad with a wondrous quick temper but a good heart and he seemed sorry to say goodbye he filled my pockets with June apples unripe by the way and told me to remember him when I got till charlestown I remembered him much longer than that and usually with a shock of surprise end of chapter two book one chapter three of the crossing by winston church hill this vapor box recording is in the public domain chapter three charlestown down and down we went crossing great rivers by forward and sary until the hills flattened themselves and the country became a long stretch of level broken by the forest only and I saw many things I had not fought wrong the earth once in a while I caught a glimpse of great red houses with stately pillars among the trees they put me in mind of the palaces in bunion the windows all golden in the morning sun and as we jogged ahead I pondered on the delights within them I saw gangs of migros parting to work along the road and overseer riding behind them and was gone in his path and there were whole cotton fields in these domains blazing in penrose flower a new plant fields and my father said he was willing to talk on such subjects brought on others and especially our airing to charlestown he would say nothing and I knew better than professing one day as we were crossing a dyke between rice swamps spread with delicate green I saw the white tops of wagons flashing in the sun at the far end of it we caught up with them the wagoners cracking their lips and swearing at the straining horses and low in front of the wagons was a harmony at least my boyish mind magnified it to such men clad in homespun perspiring and spattered with mud were struggling along the road by fours laughing and joking together the officer's road and many of these had blue coats and buffed whiskets son the worst for wear my father was pushing a white mare into the ditch to ride by when one hailed him hello my man said he are you a friend to congress I'm off to charlestown to leave the lads said my father and then to fight the Cherokees good said the other and then where are you from upper yadkin and said my father and you the officer who was a young man looked surprised but then he laughed pleasantly there are north Carolina troops going to join lee in charlestown said he the British are sending a fleet and regiments against it oh I said my father and would have passed on but he was made to go before the colonel replied him with many questions then he gave us a paper and dismissed us we pursued our journey through the heat that shimmered up from the road pausing now and again in the shade of a wayside tree at times I thought I could bear the sun no longer but towards four o'clock of that day a great bank of yellow cloud rolled up darkening the earth save for a queer saffron light that stained everything and made our very faces yellow and then a wind burst out of the east with a high mournful note as from a great soup afar filling the air with leaves and branches of trees but it bore to a saver that was new to me a salt saver deep and fresh that I drew down into my lungs and I knew that we were near the ocean then came the rain in great billows as though the ocean itself were upon us the next day we crossed a ferry on the ashly river and rode down the sand of charlestown neck and to my most vivid remembrance is of the great trunks towering half a hundred feet in the air with a tassel of leaves at the top which my father said were palmetto's something lay heavy upon his mind for I had grown to know his moods by a sort of silent understanding and when the roofs inspires of the town shone over the foliage in the afternoon sun I felt him give a great sigh that was like a sod and how shall I describe the splendor of that city the sandy streets and the gardens of flower and shade heavy with plant orders and the best houses with their gallows and porcupines set in the midst of the gardens that I remember staring at listfully that before long we came to a barricade fixed across the street and into another and presently in an open space near a large building was a company of soldiers at drill it did not strike me as strange then that my father asked his way of more man but went to a little ordinary in a humbler part of town after modest meal in the corner of the public room who went out for a stroll then from the wargs I saw the bay dotted with islands their white sand sparkling in the evening light and friends with strange trees and beyond of a deepening blue the ocean and nearer greatest of all delights to me riding on the swell was a fleet of ships my father gazed at them long and silently his palm over his eyes men a war from the old country lad he said that for a while they're a brave sight and why are they here I asked they've come to fight said he and take the town again for the king it was twilight when we turned to go and then I saw that many of the warehouses along the wargs were heaps of ruins my father said this was that the town might be the better defended we went our way towards one of the sandy streets where the great houses were and to my surprise we turned in at a gate and up a path leading to the high steps of one of these under the high protocol the door was open but the house again was dark my father called and the hands he held to mine tumbled then he stepped across the threshold and raising the big polished knocker that hung on the panel made it rock the sound was reverberating through the house and then stillness and then from within a shuffling sound and an old wood walking through the door for an instant he stood staring through the dust and broken through a prayer mars alec he said is your master home said my father without another word he led us to a deep hall and out into a gallery above the trees at the back garden where a gentleman set smoking a long pipe the old negro stopped in front of him mars john said he his voice shaking here's marsh alec done come back the gentleman got to his feet with a start his pipe fell to the floor and the ashes scattered on the boards and lay glowing there alec he cried hearing into my father's face alec you're not dead John said my father and we talk here good god said the gentleman you're just the same to think of it to think of it breathe a light in the drawing room there was no word spoken while the negro was gone and the time seemed very long but at least he returned a silver candlestick in each hand careful as the gentleman petulant me you'll drop them he led the way into the house through the hall to a massive door of mahogany with a silver door now the grandeur of the place all of me and well it might boy like i was absorbed in this our little mountain cabin would almost have gone into this one room the candles through their flickering rays upward until they danced on the high ceiling marvel of marvels in the oval left clear by the heavy rounded corners was a picture the negro sat down the candles on the marvel top of the table but the air of the room was heavy and close and the gentleman went to a window and flung it open it came down instantly with a crash so that the page rattled again curse these rebels he shouted they've taken our window waits to make bullets calling to the negro to pry open the window with a walking stick he threw himself into a big upholstered chair it was then i remarked the splendor of his clothes which were silk and he wore a waistcoat all sewed with flowers with a boy's intuition i began to dislike him intensely damn the rebels he began they've driven his lordship away i hope his majesty will hang every mother's son of them all pleasure of life is gone and they've fully enough to think they can resist the fleet and the worst of it is cry he the worst of it is i'm forced to smirk to them and give my good goal to their government seeing that my father did not answer he asks have you joined the highlanders you're always for fighting i'm to be a charity forward on the 20th said my father we're to scalp the redskins and cameron though it is not known cameron shrieked the gentleman but that's the other side man against his majesty one side or tother said my father his whole one against alec cameron the gentleman looked at my father with something like terror in his eyes you'll never forgive cameron he said i'll no forgive anybody who does me a wrong said my father where have you been all these years alec he asked presently since you went off with i've been in the mountains leading a pure life said my father and will speak of nothing if you please that's gone die and what will you have me do said the gentleman hopelessly little enough said my father keep the lad till i come again he's quiet he'll no trouble you greatly davie this is mr. temple you're to stay with him till i come again from your land said the gentleman and he peered into my face you'll not resemble your mother you'll resemble no one said my father shortly goodbye davie keep this till i come again and he gave me the parcel made of my mother's gown then he lifted me in his strong arms and kissed me and strove out of the house we listened in silence as he went down the steps and until his footsteps died away on the path then the gentleman rose and pulled a cord hastily the negro came in but the lad the bad breed said he where sir oh anywhere said the master he turned to me i'll be better able to talk to you in the morning david said he i followed the old servant up the great stairs gulping down the sob that would rise and clutching my mother's gown tight under my arm had my father left me alone in our cabin for fortnight i should not have minded but here in this strange house amid such strange surroundings i was heartbroken the old negro was very kind he led me into a little bedroom and placing the candle on the polished dresser he regarded me with sympathy so useness lisabeth boy said he and she did and mars alec rough and hard as though he'd been born in the woods honey old breed will take care of you i'll get you one of them night rails mars nick has in some of his clothes in the morning those things i remember and likewise sobbing myself to sleep in the fore poster often since i have wished that i had questioned breed of many things on which i have no curiosity then for he was my chief companion in the weeks that followed he awoke me bright and early the next day here's some clothes oh marsh nick you can wear honey he said who is master nick i asked breed slapped his thigh mars nick temple messes son he's about your size but he ain't no more like you than a jack rabbits like an owl they ain't none like mars nick for getting into trouble and getting out again where is he now i asked he had temple bow on the actually ribbon that's the marsh barony this what the place where he live at in the country and why isn't the master there i remember that breed gave me a wink and led me out of the window onto a gallery above the one where we had found the master the night before he pointed across the dense foliage of the garden to a strip of water and gleaming in the morning sun beyond see dead boats in the negro sometimes the master he'd take a ride on that boat at night sometimes gentlemen comes here in a powerful hurry to get away out into harbor where the english is at by that time i was dressed and marvelously uncomfortable and master nick's clothes but as i was going out of the door breed hailed me marsh dave it was the first time i had been called that marsh dave you ain't gonna tell tell what i asked down the boat and mass a quiet away nights no said i indignantly i know you weren't said breed you don't look as if you would tell anything we found the master pacing the lower gallery at first he barely glanced at me and nodded after a while he stopped and began to put to me many questions about my life when and how i'd lived and to some of my answers he explained good god that was all he was a handsome man with hands like a woman's well set off by the lace at his sleeves he had fine cut features and the white men in the war was most becoming david said he at link and i noted that he lowered his voice david you seem a discrete lad pay attention to what i tell you and mark if you disobey me you will be well whipped you had this home and garden to play in but you are by no means to go out the front of the house and whatever you say or hear you are to tell no one you understand yes sir i said all the rest said he breed will give you food and look out for your welfare and so he dismissed me they were lonely days after that for a boy used to activity and only the damp garden paths and loans to run on the creek at the back of the garden was stagnant and marshy on the water fell and overhung by leafy vows on each side of the garden was a high brick wall though i was often tempted to claim it i felt that disobedience was disloyalty to my father then there was the great house dark and lonely in its magnificence over which i roamed until i knew every corner of it i was most interested at all of the pictures of men and women in quaint old-time costumes and i used during the great heat of the day to sit in the drawing room and study these and wonder who they were and when they lived another amusement i had was to climb into the deep windows and peer through the blinds across the front garden into the street sometimes men stopped and talked loudly there and again a rattle of drums would send me running to see the soldiers i recall that i had a poor enough notion of what the fighting was all about and no wonder but i remember chiefly my insatiable longing to escape from this prison as the great house soon became for me and i yearned with a yearning i cannot express for our cabin in the woods and the old life there i caught glances of the master on occasions only and then i avoided him for i knew he had no wish to see me sometimes he would be seated in the gallery tapping his foot on the floor and sometimes pacing the garden walks with his hands opening and shutting and one night i awoke with a start and lay for a while listening until i heard something like a splash and the scraping of the bottom boards of a boat irresistibly i jumped out of bed and running to the gallery rail i saw two dark figures moving among the leaves below the next morning i came suddenly on a strange gentleman in the gallery he wore a flower dressing gown like the one i had seen on the master and he had a jolly round face i stopped and stared well the devil are you said he but not unkindly my name is david tremble said i and i come from the mountains he laughed mr david tremble from the mountains through the devil and i i don't know sir and i started to go away not wishing to disturb him a vast he cried stand fast see that you remember that i'm not here my free will sir but because my father wishes it and i'll betray nothing then he stared at me how old did you say you were he demanded i didn't say said i and you have scotch dissent said he i didn't say so sir you're a rub one said he laughing again and he disappeared into the house that day when breed brought me my dinner on my gallery he did not speak of a visitor you may be sure i did not mention the circumstance but breed always told me the outside news there's getting ready for a big fight mars dave said he mr mulcher in the fold in the bay and mars general lee trying for the boss him this rebels and mars admiral parker and the king regiment fixing for to take the fold and didn't chawson they say mr mulcher he got no more chance then a tree pops him why breed i asked i had heard my father talk of england's power and might and mr mulcher seemed to me a very brave man in his little fort why explain the old negro you ain't never read no history books i know some of the gentlemen with mr mulcher they ain't no soldiers some is fine gentlemen to be said but it's just foolishness to fight the fleeting army mars general lee himself he does say so i heard him and he's on mr mulcher's side i asked sholey said breed he's the rebels general then he's a nave and a coward i cried with the boys indignation where did you hear him say that i demanded incredulous of some of breed's talk right here in this house he answered and quickly tapped his hand to his mouth and showed the whites of his eyes you ain't gonna tell that mars dave of course not said i and then i wish i could see mr mulcher in his fort and the fleet honey so you can said breed the good nature negro dropped his work and led the way upstairs i following expectant to the attic a rickety ladder rose to a kind of tower cupula i suppose it would be called once the bay spread out before me like a picture the white island's edge to the whiter lacing of the waves there indeed was the fleet but far away like toy ships on the water and the bit of a fort perched on the sandy edge of an island i spent most of the day there watching anxiously for some movement but none came that night i was again awakened and running into the gallery i heard quick footsteps in the garden then there was a lantern's flash a smothered oath and all was dark again but in the flash i had seen distinctly three figures one was breed and he held the lantern another was the master and the third a stout one muffled in a cloak i made no doubt was my jolly friend i lay long awake with the boys curiosity until presently the dawn broke and i arose and dressed and began to wonder about the house no breed was sweeping the gallery nor was there any sign of the master the house was as still as a tomb and the echoes of my footsteps rolled through the halls and chambers at last prompted by curiosity and fear i sought the kitchen where i had often sat with breed as he cooked the master's dinner this was at the bottom and end of the house the great fire there was cold and the pots and pans hung neatly on their hooks untouched that day i was running through the wet garden glad to be out in the light when the sound stopped me it was a dull roar from the direction of the bay almost instantly came another and another and then several broke together and i knew that the battle had begun forgetting for the moment my loneliness i ran into the house and up the stairs two at a time and up the ladder into the cupola where i flung open the casement and leaned out there was the battle indeed a sight so vivid to me after all these years that i can call it again before me when i will the toy meadow war with sail set ranging in front of the fort they looked at my distance to be pressed against it white puffs like cotton balls with dark one after another from the ship's side melt into a cloud float over her spars and hide her from my view and then presently the roar would reach me and the answering puffs along the line of the fort and i could see the mortar shelves go up and up leaving a scorched trail behind curved in a great circle and fall upon the little garrison mr. moltrey became a real person to me then a vivid picture in my boyish mind a hero beyond all other heroes as the sun got up in the heavens and the wind fell the cupola became a bake oven but i scarcely felt the heat my whole soul was out in the bay pent up with the men in the fort how long could they hold out why were they not all killed by the shock that fell like a hail among them yet puff after puffs sprang from their guns and the sound of it was like a storm coming nearer and the heat but at noon it seemed to me as though some of the ships were sailing it was true slowly they drew away from the others and presently i thought they had stopped again surely two of them were stuck together then three were fast on a show boats like black bugs in the water came and went between them and the others after a long time the two that were together got apart in a way but the third stayed there immovable helpless throughout the afternoon the fight kept on the little black boats coming and going i saw a mast totter and fall in one of the ships i saw the flag shot away from the fort and reappear again but now the puffs came from her walls slowly and more slowly so that my heart sank with the setting sun and presently it grew too dark to see alt save the red flashes slowly reluctantly the noise died down until it last a great silence rained broken only now and again by voices in the streets below me it was not until then that i realized that i had been all day without food that i was alone in the dark of a great house i had never known fear in the woods at night but now i trembled as i felt my way down the ladder and groped and stumbled through the black attic for the stairs every noise i made seemed louder and hundredfold than the battle had been and when i barked my shins the pain was sharper than a knife below on the big stairway the echo of my footsteps sounded again from the empty rooms so that i was taken with a panic and fled downward sliding and falling until i reached the hall frantically as i tried i could not unfasten the boats on the front door and so running into the drawing room i pried open the window and set me down in the embrasure to think and to try to quiet the thumpings of my heart by degrees i succeeded the still air of the night and the heavy dab odors of the foliage helped me and i tried to think what was right for me to do i had promised the master not to leave the place and that promise seemed in pledge to my father surely the master would come back or breathe they would not leave me here alone without food much longer although i was young i was brought up to responsibility and i inherited a conscience that has since given me much trouble from these thoughts trying enough for star lad i felt the thinking of my father on the frontier fighting the cherries and so i dozed away to dream of him i remember that he was skinning cameron i had often pictured it and cameron yelling when i was awakened with a shock by a great noise i listened with my heart in my throat the noise seemed to come from the hall a prodigious pounding presently at stock and the man's voice cried out oh there within my first impulse was to answer but fear kept me still battered down the door someone shouted there was the sound of shuffling in the portico and the same boys now then all together lads then came a straining and splitting of wood and with a crash the door gave way a lantern's rays shot through the hall the house is as dark as a tomb said a voice and his empty i reckon said another john temple and his spy have got away we'll have to search answered the first voice they stood for a moment in the drawing room door period and then they entered there were five of them two looked to be gentlemen and three were a rougher appearance they carried lanterns that windows open said one of the gentlemen they must have been here today hello what's this he started back in surprise i slid down from the window seat instead facing them not knowing what else to do they too seemed equally confounded it must be temple's son said one at last i had thought the family at temple bow what's your name my lad david tremble sir said i what are you doing here he asked more sternly i was left in mr temple's care by my father oh ho he cried and where is your father he's gone to fight the cherries i answered soberly to skin a man named kameron at that they were silent for an instant and then the two broke into a laugh he got loudies said the gentleman here's a fine mystery do you think the boy is lying the other gentleman scratched his forehead i'll have you know i don't lie sir i said ready to cry no said the other gentleman a backwoodsman named tremble went to rutledge with credentials from north carolina and has gone off to jerky ford to join the call lest my soul exclaimed the first gentleman he came up and laid his hand on my shoulder and said where's mr temple that i don't know sir when did he go away i did not answer it once that i can't tell you sir was there anyone with him that i can't tell you sir a devil you can't he cried taking my hand away and why not i shook my head sorely beset john matthews cried the gentleman called lounges will search first and attend to the lab after and so they began going through the house prying into every cupboard and sweeping under every bed they even climbed to the attic and noting the open casement in the cupola mr lounges said someone's been here today it was i sir i said i've been here all day and what doing pray he demanded watching the battle no sir i cried can you tell me whether mr moltre beat the british he did so cried mr lounges he did and soundly he stared at me i must have looked my pleasure why david says he you are a patriot too i'm a rebel sir i cried hotly both gentlemen laughed again and the men with them the lad is a character said mr lounges we made our way down into the garden which they searched last at the creek side the boat was gone and there were footsteps in the mud the bird has flown lounges said mr matthews and good riddance for the committee answered that man heartily he got to the fleet in fine season to get a round shot in the middle david said he solemnly remember it never pays to try to be two things at once i'll warrant he stayed below water said mr matthews but what shall we do with the lad i'll take him to my house for the night said mr lounges and in the morning we'll talk to him i reckon he should be sent to temple bow he is connected in some way with the temples god help him if he goes there said mr matthews under his breath but i heard him they locked up the house and left one of the men to guard it while i went with mr lounges to his residence i remember that people were gathered in the streets as we passed making merry and that they greeted mr lounges with respect and good cheer his house too was set in a garden and quite as fine as mr temples it was a blaze with candles and i caught glimpses of fine gentlemen and ladies in the rooms but he hurried me through the hall and into a little chamber at the rear where a writing desk was set he turned and faced me you must be tired david he said i nodded and hungry boys are always hungry yes sir you had no dinner no sir i answered off my guard mercy he said it's a long time since breakfast i had no breakfast sir could god he said and pulled the velvet handle of a cord a negro came is the supper for the guest ready yes mosa then bring as much as you can carry here said the gentleman and asked mrs lounges if i may speak with her mrs lounges came first and such a fine lady she was that she frightened me this being my first experience with ladies but when mr lounges told her my story she ran to me impulsively and put her arms about me poor lad she said what a shame i think that the tears came then but it was small wonder there were tears in her eyes too such a supper as i had i shall never forget and she sat beside me for long neglecting her guests and talking of my life suddenly she turned to her husband calling him by name he's alec richie's son he said and alec has gone against cameron mr lounges did not answer but nodded and he must go to temple bow my dear said mr lounges i fear it is our duty to send him there and of chapter three book one chapter four of the crossing by winston church hill this labor box recording is in the public domain chapter four temple bow in the morning i started for temple bow on horseback behind one of mr lounges negroes good mrs lounges had kissed me at parting and tucked into my pocket a parcel of sweet dreams there had been a few grave gentlemen to see me and to their questions i had replied what i could but tell them of mr temple i would not say that he himself had told me nothing and mr lounges had presently put him in to their talk the lad knows nothing gentlemen he had said which was true david said he when he made me farewell i see that your father has brought you up to fear god remember that all you see in this life is not to be imitated and so i went off behind his negro he was a merry lad and despite the great heat of the journey and my misgivings about temple bow he made me laugh i was sad at crossing the ferry over the ashley through thinking of my father but i reflected that it could not be long now ere i saw him again in the middle of the day we stopped at a tavern and at length in the abundant shade of evening we came to a pair of great ornamental gates set between brick pillars capped with white balls and turned into a drive and presently winding through the trees we were inside of a long brick mansion trimmed with white and a velvet lawn before it all flipped with shadows in front of the portico was a saddled horse craning his long neck at two panting hounds stretched on the ground a negro boy in blue clutched the bridle on the horse block a gentleman in white reclined he wore shiny boots and he held his hat on his hand and he was gazing up at a lady who stood on the steps of up in the lady i remember as well lord forgive that i should forget her and her laugh as i heard it that evening is ringing now in my ears and yet it was not a laugh musical it was yet there seemed no pleasure in it rather irony and a great weariness of the amusements of this world and a note too from a vanity never ruffled it stopped abruptly as the negro pulled up his horse before her and she stared at us haughtily what's this she said barn mystus said the negro i's got a letter from mars lounges mr lounges should instruct his niggers she said this is a servant strive the man was turning when she cried hold let's have it he dismounted and gave her the letter and i jumped to the ground watching her as she broke the seal taking her in as a boy will from the flowing skirt and tight laced stays of her salmon silk to her high and powdered hair she must have been about 30 her face was beautiful but had no particle of expression in it and was dotted here and there with little black patches of plaster while she was reading a sober gentleman in black silk britches in severe coat came out of the house and stood beside her hey oh parson said the gentleman on the horse block without moving are you the preach against lou or lancannette tomorrow would it make any difference to you mr riddle before he could answer there came a great clatter behind them and the boy of my own age appeared with a leap he landed sprawling on the indolent gentleman's shoulders nearly upsetting him your young rascal explained the gentleman pitching him on the drive almost at my feet then he fell back again to a position where he looked up at the lady harry riddle cried the boy i'll ride steeple chases and beat you someday hush nick cried the lady petulantly i'll have no nerves left me she turned to the letter again holding it very near to her eyes and made a writhe face of impatience then she held the sheet out to mr riddle a pretty piece of news she said languidly read it harry the gentleman seized her hand instead the lady glanced at the clergyman whose back was turned and shook her head how tiresome you are she said what's happened asked mr riddle letting go as the person looked around oh they've had a battle said the lady and multry and his rebels have beat off the king's fleet the devil they have exclaimed mr riddle while the parson started forwards anything more yes a little she hesitated that husband of mine has fled charlestown they think he went to the fleet and she shot a meaning look at mr riddle who in turn flushed red i was watching them what cried the clergyman john temple has run away why not said mr riddle one can't live between wind and water long and charlestown's uncomfortable in summer at that the clergyman cast one look at them such a look as i shall never forget and went into the house mama said the boy where's father gone has he run away yes don't bother me nick i don't believe it cried nick his high voice shaking i i disown him at that mr riddle burst into a hearty laugh come nick said he it isn't so bad is that your father's for his majesty like the rest of us he's merely gone over to fight for him and he looked at the lady and laughed again but i liked the boy as for the lady she curled her lip mr riddle don't be foolish she said if we are to play send your horse to the stables suddenly her eye lighted on me one more breath she sighed nick take him to the nursery or the stable and both of you keep out of my sight nick strode up to me don't mind her she's always saying keep out of my sight his voice trembled he took me by the sleeve and began pulling me around the house and into the little summer bower that stood there for he had a masterful manner what's your name he demanded david tremble i said have you seen my father in town the intense earnestness of the questions surprised an answer out of me yes where he demanded in his house my father left me with your father tell me about it i related as much as i dared leaving out mr temple's double dealing which in truth i did not understand but the boy was relentless why said he my father was a friend of mr lounges and mr matthews i've seen them here drinking with him and in town and he ran away i do not know where he went said i which was the truth he said nothing but hit his face in his arms over the rail of the bower at length he looked up at me fiercely if you ever tell this i will kill you he cried do you hear that made me angry yes i hear i said but i'm not afraid of you he was at me in an instant knocking me to the floor so that the breath was out of me and was pounding me vigorously air i recovered from the shock and astonishment of it and began to defend myself he was taller than i and wiry but not so rugged yet there was a look about him that was far beyond his strength a look that meant never say die curiously even as i fought desperately i compared him with the other lab i had known andy jackson and this one though not so powerful frightened me the more in his relentlessness perhaps we should have been fighting still had not someone pulled us apart and when my vision cleared i saw nick struggling and kicking held tightly in the hands of the clergyman and it was all that gentleman could do to hold him i'm sure it was quite five minutes before he forced the lad exhausted onto the seat and then there was a defiance about his nostrils that showed he was undefeated the clergyman still holding him with one hand took out his handkerchief with the other and wiped his brow i expected a scolding and a sermon to my amazement the clergyman said quietly now what was the trouble david i'll not be the one to tell it sir i said and trembled at my temerity the person looked at me clearly then you are in the right of it you said it is as i thought i'll not expect nicolas to tell i will tell you sir said nicolas he was in the house with my father when when he ran away and i said that if he ever spoke of it to anyone i would kill him for a while the clergyman was silent gazing with a strange tenderness at the lad whose face was averted and you david he said presently i i never mean to tell sir but i was not to be frightened quite right my lad said the clergyman so kindly that it set a strange thrill through me nicolas looked up quickly you won't tell he said no said i you can let me go now mr mason said he mr mason did and he came over and sat beside me but said nothing more after a while mr mason cleared his throat nicolas said he when you grow older you will understand these matters better your father went away to join the side he believes in the side we all believe in the king side did he ever pretend to like the other side asked nic quickly when you grow older you will know his motives answered the clergyman gently until then you must trust him you never pretended right nic thank god i never was forced to do so said the clergyman fervently it is wonderful that the conditions of our existence may wholly change without a seeming strangeness after many years only vivid snatches of what i saw and heard and did at temple bow come back to me i understood the little of the meaning of the signae oriole life there my chief wonder now is that its golden surface was not more troubled by the winds then brewing it was a new life to me one that i had not dreamed of after that first falling out nick and i became inseparable far slower than he and my likes and dislikes he soon became a passion with me even as a boy he did everything with a grace unsurpassed the dash and daring of his pranks took one's breath his generosity to those he loved was prodigal nor did he ever miss a chance to score those under his displeasure at times he was reckless beyond words to describe and again he would fall sober for a day he could be cruel and tender in the same hour abandoned and freezing and his dignity he had an old negro mammy whose worship for him and his possessions was idolatry i can hear her now calling and calling march near honey your supper's done got cold as she searched patiently among the magnolias and suddenly there would be a shout and mammy's turban go flying from her woolly head or mammy herself would be dragged down from behind and set upon we had our supper nick and i a twilight in the children's dining room a little white room unevenly paneled the silver candlesticks and yellow flames fantastically reflected in the mirrors between the deep windows and the malls and june bugs tilting at the lights we sat at a little mahogany table eating porridge and cream from round blue bowls with mammy to wait on us sometimes they're floated in upon us the hum of reverie from the great drawing room where madame at her company often the good mr mason would come in to us he cared little for the parties and talk to us of our days doings nick had his lessons from the clergyman in the wintertime mr mason took occasion once to question me on what i knew some of my answers and a special those relating to my knowledge of the bible surprised him others made him sad david said he you are an earnest lad with a head to learn and you will when your father comes i shall talk with him he paused i knew him said he i knew him ere you were born a just man and an upright but with a great sorrow we must never be hasty in our judgments but you will never be hasty david he added smiling at me you are a good companion for nicolas nicolas and i slept in the same bedroom at a corner of the long house and far removed from his mother she would not be disturbed by the noise he made in the mornings i remember that he had cut in the solid shutters of that room folded into the embrosures nicolas temple his mark and a long flat sword the first night in that room we slept but little near the whole of it being occupied with tales of my adventures and of my life in the mountains over and over again i must tell him of the painters and wildcats of deer and bear and wolf no was he ever satisfied and at length i came to speak of that land where i have often lived in fantasy the land beyond the mountains of which daniel boone had told of its forest and glade its countless herds of elk and buffalo its salt licks and indians until we fell asleep from sheer exhaustion i will go there he cried in the morning as he hurried into his clothes i will go to that land as sure as my name is nick temple and you shall go with me david for chance i shall go before you i answered though i had small hopes of persuading my father he would often make his exit by the window climbing down into the garden by the protruding bricks at the corner of the house or sometimes go shouting down the long halls and through the gallery to the great stairway a smothered oath from behind the closed bedroom doors proclaiming that he had waked the guest and many days we spent in the wood playing at hunting game a poor enough amusement for me and one that nick soon tired of they were thick wet woods unlike our woods in the mountains and more than once we had excitement enough with the snakes that lay there i believe that in a week's time nick was as conversant with my life as i myself for he made me tell it again and again end of kentucky and always as he listened his eyes would glow and his breast he would excite that do you think your father would take me there david when he comes for you i hoped so but was doubtful i'll run away with you he declared there's no one there's no one year who cares for me say mr mason and mammy and i believe he meant it he saw but little of his mother and nearly always something unpleasant was coupled with his views sometimes we run across her in the garden path walking with a galant oftenness mr riddle it was a beautiful garden with hedge bordered walks and flowers wondrously masked in color a high brick wall surrounding it frequently mrs temple and mr riddle would play at cards there in the afternoon and when that musical unbelieving laugh appears came floating over the wall nick would say mama is winning once we heard high words between the two and running into the garden found the cards scattered on the grass and the couple gone of all nicks escapades and he was continually in and out of them i recall only a few of the more serious as i have said he was a wild lad sobered by none of the things which had gone to make my life and what he took into his head to do he generally did or if bolt flew into such a rage as to make one believe he could not live life was always war with him or some semblance of a struggle of his many wild doings i recall well the time when fired by my tales of hunting he went out to attack the young bull in the paddock with a bow and arrow it made small difference to the bull that the arrow was too blunt to enter his hide with a bellow that frightened the idle niggers at the slave quarters he started for master nick i who had been taught by my father never to run any unnecessary risk had taken the precaution to provide as large a stone as i could comfortably throw and took station on the fence as the furious animal came charging with his head lord i struck him by a good fortune between the eyes and nicholas got over we were standing on the far side watching him pawing the broken bow when in the crowd of frightened niggers we discovered a person beside us david said he patting me with a shaking hand i perceived that you have a cool head our young friend here has a hotman dr johnson may not care for scotch blood and yet i think a wee bit of it is not to be despised i wondered whether dr johnson was staying in the house too how many slaves they were at temple bow i know not but we used to see them coming home at night in droves the overseers riding beside them with whips and guns one day a huge congo chief not long from africa nearly killed an overseer and escaped to the swamp as the day fell we heard the baying of the bloodhounds hot upon his trail more ominous still a sound like a rising wind came from the direction of the quarters into our little dining room burst mrs temple herself slamming the door behind her mr mason who was sitting with us rose to calm her the rebels she cried the rebels have taught them this with their cursed notions of liberty and equality we shall all be murdered by the blacks because of the rebels oh hell fires too good for them have the house barred and a watch set tonight what shall we do i pray you compose yourself madame said the clergyman we can send for the militia the militia she freaked the rebel militia they would murder us as soon as the niggers they are respectable men answered mr mason and we're at fanning hall today patrolling i would rather be killed by whites than blacks said the lady but who is to go for the militia i will ride for them said mr mason it was a dark lowering night and spitting rain and leave me defenseless she cried you do not stir sir it is a pity said mr mason he was goaded could i suppose it is a pity mr riddle did not come tonight she shot at him a withering look for even in her figure she would brook no liberties nick spoke up i will go said he i can get through the woods to fanning hall and i'll go with him i said let the brats go she said and cut short mr mason's expostulations she drew nick to her and kissed him he wiggled away and without more ado we climbed out of the dining room windows into the night running across the lawn we left the lights of the great house twinkling behind us in the rain we had to pass the long line of cabins at the quarters three overseers with lanterns stood guard there the cabins were dark the wretches within silent and cowed dense we felt with our feet for the path across the fields stumbled over a sty and took our way through the black woods i was at home here and nick was not to be frightened at intervals the mournful bay of the bloodhound came to us from a distance suppose we should meet the congo chief said nick suddenly the idea had occurred to me she'd needn't have been so frightened said he in scornful remembrance of his mother's actions we pressed on nick knew the path as only a boy can half an hour passed it grew brighter the rain ceased and a new moon shot out between the leaves i seized his arm what's that i've whispered a deer but i cradled in woodcraft had heard plainly a man creeping through the underbrush beside us fear of the congo chief and pity for the wretch tore at my heart suddenly they're loomed in front of us on the path a great naked man we stood with useless limbs staring at him then from the trees over our heads came a chittering and a chattering such as i had never heard the big man before us dropped to the earth his head bowed muttering as for me my fright increased the chattering stopped and nick stepped forward and laid his hand on the negro's bare shoulder we needn't be afraid of him now baby he said i learned that trick from a portuguese overseer we had last year you did it i exclaimed my astonishment overcoming my fear it's the way the monkeys chatter in the canaries he said manuel had a tame one and i heard it talk once before i tried it on the chief and he fell down he thinks i'm a god it must have been a weird scene to see the great negro following two boys in the moonlight indeed he came after us like a dog at length we were inside of the lights of fanning hall the militia was there we were challenged by the guard and caused sufficient amazement when we appeared in the hall before the master who was a bachelor of 50 splod nick temple he cried what are you doing here with that big congo for a dog the sight of him frightens me the negro indeed was a sight to frighten one the black mud of the swamps had caked on him and his flesh was torn by brambles he ran away said nick i'm taking him home you you're taking him home sputtered mr fanning you want to see him act said nick and without waiting for a reply he filled the hall with a dozen monkeys mr fanning leaked back into a doorway but the chief prostrated himself on the floor now do you believe i can take him home said nick swounds said mr fanning when he had his breath you beat the devil nickolas temple the next time you come to call i pray you leave your traveling show at home mama said me for the militia said nick she did said mr fanning looking grim an insurrection is a bad thing but there was no danger for two lads in the woods i suppose there's no danger anyway said nick the niggers are all scared to death mr fanning burst out into a loud laugh stopped suddenly sat down and took nick on his knee it wasn't in congress scene mr fanning almost cried bless your soul he said but you are a lad would to god i had you instead of he paused abruptly i must go home said nick she will be worried she will be worried cried mr fanning in a burst of anger then he said you shall have the militia you shall have the militia he rang a bell and sent his steward for the captain a gawky country farmer who gave a gasp when he came upon the scene in the hall and mine said nick to the captain you are to keep your man away from him or he will kill one of them the captain granded him curious i reckon i won't have to tell them to keep away said he mr fanning started us off for the walk with pockets filled with sweet meats which we nibbled on the way back we made a queer procession nick and i striding ahead to show the path followed by the now servile chief and after him the captain and his 20 man in single file it was midnight when we saw the lights of temple bow through the trees one of the tired overseers met us near the kitchen when he perceived the congo his face lighted up with rage and he instinctively reached for his whip but the chief stood before him immovable with arms folded and a look on his face that meant danger he will kill you emory said nick he will kill you if you touch him emory dropped his hand mentally he'll go to work in the morning said nick but mind you not a lash very good master nick said the man and who's to get him in his cabin i will said nick he beckoned to the congo who followed him over to quarters and went in at his door without a protest the next morning mrs temple looked out of her window and saw the militiamen on her lawn who she said are those butternuts the soldiers that nick went to fetch end of chapter four book one chapter five of the crossing by Winston Churchill this labor box recording is in the public domain chapter five crams hell after that my admiration for nick temple increased greatly whether excited by his courage and presence of mine and his ability to imitate men and women and creatures i know not one of my amusements i recall was to go to the congo's cabin to see him fall on his face until mr mason put a stop to it the clergyman let us know that we were encouraging idolatry and he himself took the chief in hand another incident comes to me from those bygone days the fear of negro insurrections at the neighboring plantations being temporarily lulled the gentry began to pluck up courage for their usual amusements there were to be races at some place a distance away and nick was determined to go had he not determined that i should go all would have been well the evening before he came upon his mother in the garden strange to say she was in a gracious mood and alone come and kiss me nick she said now what do you want i want to go to the races he said you have your pony you can follow the coach david is to ride the pony said nick generously may i go in the coach no she said there's no room for you nicholas flared up harry riddle is going in the coach i don't see why you can't take me sometimes you like him better than me the lady flushed very red how dare you nick she cried angrily what has mr mason been putting into your head nothing said nick quite as angrily anyone can see that you like harry and i will ride in the coach you'll not set his mother i had heard nothing of this the next morning he led out his pony from the stables for me to ride and insisted and supposing he was to go in the coach i put foot in the stirrup the little beast would scarce stand still for me to mount you'll not need the whip with her said nick and led her around out the side of the house in view of the portico and stood there at her bridal presently with a great noise and clatter of hooks the coach rounded the drive the powdered negro coachman pulling up the four horses with much ceremony at the door it was a wondrous great vehicle the bright colors of its body flashing in the morning light i had examined it more than once and with awe in the coach house it had glass windows and a lion on a blue shield on the door and within it was all salmon silk saved the painted design on the ceiling great leather straps held up this house on wheels to take the jolts of the road and behind it was a platform that morning two young negroes with flowing blue coats stood on it they leaped to the ground when the coach stopped and stood each side of the door waiting for my lady to enter she came down the steps laughing with mr. riddle who was in his riding clothes for he was to race that day he handed her in and got in after her the coachman cracked his whip the coach creaked off down the drive i in the trees one side waiting for them to pass and wondering what nick was to do he had let go of my bridal folded his whip in his hand and with a shout of come on baby he ran for the coach which was going slowly caught hold of the footman's platform and pulled himself up what possessed the footman i know not for chants fear of his mistress was greater than fear of his young master but he took the lad by the shoulders gently to be sure and pushed him into the road where he fell and rolled over i guessed what would happen picking himself up nick was at the man like a hurricane seizing him swiftly by the leg the negro fell upon the platform clutching wildly where he lay in a sheer fright shrieking for mercy his cries rivaled by those of the lady within the coachman frantically pulled his horses to a stand the other footman jumped off and mr. harry riddle came flying out of the coach door to behold nicholas beating the negro with his riding whip you young devil cried mr. riddle angrily striding forward what are you doing keep off harry said nicholas i'm teaching this nigger that he's not to lay hands on his betters with that he gave the boy one more cut and turned from him contemptuously what is it harry came in a shrill voice from within the coach it's next pranks said mr. riddle grinning in spite of his anger he's ruined one of your footmen you little scoundrel cried mr. riddle advancing again you frightened your mother nearly to a swoon served her right said nick what cried mr. riddle come down from there instantly nick raised his whip it was not that that stopped mr. riddle but a sign about the lads nostrils harry riddle said the boy if it weren't for you i'd be riding this coach today with my mother i don't want to ride with her but i will go to the races if you try to take me down i'll do my best to kill you and he lifted the loaded end of the whip this is temple's beautiful face had by this time been thrust out of the door for the love of heaven harry let him come in with us we're late enough as it is mr. riddle turned on his heel he tried to glare at nick but he broke into a laugh instead calm down satan says he god helped the woman you love and the man you fight and so nicholas jumped down and into the coach the flitman picked himself up more scared than injured and the vehicle took its lumbering way for the race course i following i have seen many courses since but none to equal that in the gorgeous dress of those who watched there had been many many more in former years so i heard people say this was the only sign that a war was in progress the scanty number of gentry present for all save the indifferent were gone to charlestown or elsewhere i recall it dimly as a blaze of color passing marry making jet sting feasting a rare contrast i thought to the site i had beheld in charlestown pay but a while before yet so runs the world strike at one man's home and peace and contentment at his neighbors sorrow here and rejoicing not a league away master nicholas played one prank that evening that was near to costing dear my lady temple made up a party for temple bow at the course two other coaches to come and some gentleman riding as nick and i were running through the paddock he came suddenly upon mr harry riddle and a stout swarthy gentleman standing together the stout gentleman was counting out big gold pieces in his hand and giving them to mr riddle lucky dog said the stout gentleman you'll ride back with her and you've won all i've got and he dug mr riddle in the ribs you'll have it again when we play tonight darnly answered mr riddle costly and as for the seat in the coach you're welcome to it that firebrand of a lad is on the front seat damn the lad said the stout gentleman i'll take it and you can ride my horse he'll carry you i reckon his voice had a way of cracking into a mellow laugh at that mr riddle went off in a towering bad humor and afterwards i heard him cursing the stout gentleman's black room as he mounted his great horse and then he cursed the horse as it reared and plunged while the stout gentleman stood at the coach door cackling at his discomforture the gentleman did ride home with mrs temple nick going into another coach i afterwards discovered that the gentleman had bribed him with a guinea and mr riddle more than once came near running down my pony on his big charger and he swore at me roundly too that night there was a gay supper party in the big dining room at temple boat nick and i looked on from the gallery window it was a pretty sight the long mahogany board reflecting the yellow flames of the candles and spread with bright silver and shining dishes loaded with dainties the gentleman and ladies in brilliant dress the hurrying servants all were of a new and strange world to be and presently after the ladies were gone the gentleman tossed off their wine and roared over their jokes and followed into the dining room this i noticed that only mr harry riddle said silent and morose and that he had drunk more than the others come davie said nick to me let's go and watch them again but how i asked for the drawing room windows were up some distance from the ground and there was no gallery on that side i'll show you said he running into the garden after searching a while in the dark he found the ladder the gardener had left against a tree after much straining we carried the ladder to the house and set it up under one of the windows of the drawing room then we both clamored cautiously to the top and looked in the company were at cards silent save for a low remark now and again the little tables were ranged along by the windows and it chanced that mr harry riddle set so close to us that we could touch him on his right set mr darnelly the stout gentleman and in the other seats two ladies between mr riddle and mr darnelly was a pile of silver and gold pieces there was not room for two of us in comfort at the top of the ladder so i gave place to nick and sat on the lower ron presently i saw him raise himself reach in and duck quickly feel that he whispered to me clucking and holding out his hand it was full of money but that's stealing nick i said frightened of course i'll give it back he whispered indignantly instantly there came loud words and the scraping of chairs within the room and a woman screamed i heard mr riddle's voice say thickly amid the silence that followed mr darnelly you're a damn thief sir you shall answer for this when your sobers are said mr darnelly then there came more scraping of chairs all the company talking excitedly at once nick and i scrambled to the ground and we did the very worst thing we could possibly have done we took the ladder away there was little sleep for me that night i had first of all basalt nick to go up into the drawing room and give the money back but some strange obstinacy in him resisted will serve harry well for what he did today said he my next thought was to find mr mason but he was gone at the river to visit a sick parishioner i had seen enough of the world to know that gentlemen fought for less than what had occurred in the drawing room that evening and though i had neither love nor admiration for mr riddle and though the stout gentleman was no friend of mine i cared not to see either of them killed for a prank but nick would not listen to me and went to sleep in the midst of my urgings baby said he pinching me do you know what you are no said i hear a granny he said and that was the last word i could get out of him but i lay awake a long time thinking breed had filed away from me one hot morning in charlestown with an account of the gentry and their doings many of which he related in an old whisper that i could not understand they were wild doings indeed to me but strangest of all seemed the duals conducted with a decorum and ceremony as rigorous as the law did you ever see a dual breed i had asked yes sir said breed dramatic rolling the whites of his eyes where where down on the river bank at temple bow in the early morning the most commonly fights at the dawn breed had also told me where he was in hiding at the time and that was what troubled me try as i would i could not remember it sounded like clamshell that i recalled and how breed had looked out at the swordplay through the cracks of the closed shutters agonized between fear of ghosts within and the drama without at the first faint light that came into our window i awakened nick listen i said do you know a place called clamshell he turned over but i punched him persistently until he set up what the deuce ailed you baby he asked rubbing his eyes have you nightmare do you know a place called clamshell down on the river bank nick why you replied you must be thinking of clamshell what's that i asked it's a house that used to belong to mr cram who was an overseer the niggers hated him and he was killed in bed by a big black nigger chief from africa the niggers won't go near the place they say it's haunted get up said i we're going there now nick sprang out of bed and began to get into his clothes is it a game he asked yes and he was always ready for a game we climbed out of the window and made our way in the midst through the long wet grass nick leading he took a path through a dark forest swamp over logs that spanned the stagnant waters and that length just as the midst was growing pearly in the light we came out of the tumbledown house that stood in an open glade by the river's bank what's to do now said nick we must get into the house i answered but i confess i didn't care for the looks of it nick stared at me very good baby he said i'll follow where you go it was a saturday morning why i recall this i do not know it has no special significance i tried the door with a groan and a streak it gave way disclosing the blackness inside we started back in voluntarily i looked at nick and nick at me he was very pale and so must i have been but such was the respect we each held for the others courage that neither dared flinch and so i walked in although it seemed as if my shirt was made of needle points and my hair stood on end the crackings of the old floor were to me like the shots in charlestown bay our hearts beating wildly we made our way into a farther room it was like walking into the beyond is there a window here i asked nick my voice sounding like a shout yes ahead of us groping for it i suddenly received a shock that set me reeling human nature could stand no more we both turned tail and ran out of the house as fast as we could and stood in the wet grass panting then shame came let's open the window first i suggested so we walked around the house and pried the solid shutter from its fastenings then gathering our courage we went in again at the door in the dim light led into the farther room we saw a four poster bed old and cheap with bragged curtains it was this that i had struck in my grouping the chief killed crammed there said nick in an old voice in that bed what do you want to do here davie wait i said though i had as little mind to wait as ever in my life stay near by the window we waited there the mist rose the sun peeped over the bank of dense green forest and spread rainbow colors on the still waters of the river now and again a fish broke or a great bird swooped down and slit the surface a far off snatch of melody came to our ears the slaves were going to work nothing more and a little by little a grave misgivings gnawed at my soul of the wisdom of coming to this place doubtless there were many other spots baby said nick at last i'm sorry i took that money what are we here for hush i'd whispered do you hear anything no i did and distinctly for i had been brought up in the forest i hear voices he said presently coming this way they were very clear to me by then emerging from the forest path were five gentlemen the leader more plainly dressed than the others carried a leather case behind him was the stout figure of mr darnley his face solemn and last of all came mr harry riddle very pale but cutting the tops of the long grass with a switch nick seized my arm they're going to fight said he yes i replied and we're here to stop them now no not now he said holding me still we'll have some more fun out of this yet fun i echoed yes he said excitedly leave it to me i shouldn't let them fight and that instant we changed generals david giving place to nicholas mr riddle retired with one gentleman to a side of a little patch of grass and mr darnley and a friend to another the fifth gentleman took a position halfway between the two and opening the leather case laid it down on the grass where its contents glistened that's dr ball whispered nick and his voice shook with excitement mr riddle stripped off his coat and west coat and ruffles and his sword belt and mr darnley did the same both gentlemen drew their swords and advanced to the middle of the lawn and stood opposite one another with flowing linen shirts open up the throat and bared heads they were indeed a contrast mr riddle tall and white with closed lips glared at his opponent mr darnley cut a merrier figure rotund and flushed with fat calves and short arms though his countenance was sober enough all at once the two were circling their swords in the air and then nick had flung open the shutter and leaped through the window and was running and shouting towards the astonished gentleman all of whom wheeled to face him he jingled as he ran what in the devil's name now cried mr riddle angrily here's this imp again nicholas stopped in front of him and thrusting his hand in this britch's pocket fished out a handful of gold and silver which he held out to the confounded mr riddle harry said he here's something of yours i found last night you found echoed mr riddle in a strange voice amidst a dead silence you found where on the table beside you and where the do's were you mr riddle demanded in the window behind you said nick calmly this piece of information to mr riddle's plain discomforture was greeted with a roar of laughter mr darnley himself laughing loudest nor were these gentlemen satisfied with that they crowded around mr riddle and slapped him on the back mr darnley joining in with the rest and presently mr riddle flung away his sword and laughed too giving his hand to mr darnley at least mr darnley turned to nick who had stood all this while behind them unmoved my friend said he seriously such is your regard for human life you will probably one day be a pirate or an outlaw this time we've had a laugh the next time somebody will be weeping i wish i were your father i wish you were said nick this took mr darnless breath he glanced at the other gentleman he returned his look significantly he laid his hand kindly on the lad's head nick said he i wish to god i were your father after that they all went home very merry to breakfast nick and i coming after them nick was silent until we reached the house dady said he then how old are you ten i answered how old did you believe me eighty said the next day being sunday we all gathered in the little church to hear mr mason preach nick and i sat in the high box pew of the family with mrs temple who paid not the least attention to the sermon as for me the rhythm of it held me in fascination mr mason had written it out in that afternoon read over this part of it to nick the quotation i recall having since read it many times and the gist of it was in this wise and he said unto him what thou wilt have thou wilt have despite the sin of it blessed are the stolen and thrice cursed he who had imagination for that imagination shall devour him and in thy life a sin shall be presented unto thee with a great longing god who is in heaven gird thee for that struggle my son for it will surely come that it may be said of you behold i have refined thee but not with silver i have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction seven days shall thou wrestle with thy soul seven nights shall evil haunt thee and how thou shalt come forth from that struggle no man may know end of chapter five