sally dows-第21章

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quartering　of　the　waves　on　the　broad　bluff　bows　of　the　boat　tended
to　throw　it　to　leeward；　a　movement　that；　while　it　retarded　her
forward　progress；　no　doubt　saved　the　little　craft　from　swamping。
Again；　the　feebleness　and　shortness　of　her　stroke；　which　never
impelled　her　through　a　rising　wave；　but　rather　lifted　her　half　way
up　its　face；　prevented　the　boat　from　taking　much　water；　while　her
steadfast　gaze；　fixed　only　on　the　slowly　retreating　shore；　kept　her
steering　free　from　any　fatal　nervous　vacillation；　which　the　sight
of　the　threatening　seas　on　her　bow　might　have　produced。　　Preserved
through　her　very　weakness；　ignorance；　and　simplicity　of　purpose；
the　dingey　had　all　the　security　of　a　drifting　boat；　yet　retained　a
certain　gentle　but　persistent　guidance。　　In　this　feminine　fashion
she　made　enough　headway　to　carry　her　abreast　of　the　Point；　where
she　met　the　reflux　current　sweeping　round　it　that　carried　her　well
along　into　the　channel；　now　sluggish　with　the　turn　of　the　tide。
After　half　an　hour's　pulling；　she　was　delighted　to　find　herself
again　in　a　reverse　current；　abreast　of　her　cottage；　but　steadily
increasing　her　distance　from　it。　　She　was；　in　fact；　on　the　extreme
outer　edge　of　a　vast　whirlpool　formed　by　the　force　of　the　gale　on　a
curving　lee　shore；　and　was　being　carried　to　her　destination　in　a
semicircle　around　that　bay　which　she　never　could　have　crossed。　　She
was　moving　now　in　a　line　with　the　shore　and　the　Fort；　whose
flagstaff；　above　its　green；　square；　and　white　quarters；　she　could
see　distinctly；　and　whose　lower　water　battery　and　landing　seemed　to
stretch　out　from　the　rocks　scarcely　a　mile　ahead。　　Protected　by　the
shore　from　the　fury　of　the　wind；　and　even　of　the　sea；　her　progress
was　also　steadily　accelerated　by　the　velocity　of　the　current；
mingling　with　the　ebbing　tide。　　A　sudden　fear　seized　her。　　She
turned　the　boat's　head　towards　the　shore；　but　it　was　swept　quickly
round　again；　she　redoubled　her　exertions；　tugging　frantically　at
her　helpless　oars。　　She　only　succeeded　in　getting　the　boat　into　the
trough　of　the　sea；　where；　after　a　lurch　that　threatened　to　capsize
it；　it　providentially　swung　around　on　its　short　keel　and　began　to
drift　stern　on。　　She　was　almost　abreast　of　the　battery　now；　she
could　hear　the　fitful　notes　of　a　bugle　that　seemed　blown　and
scattered　above　her　head；　she　even　thought　she　could　see　some　men
in　blue　uniforms　moving　along　the　little　pier。　　She　was　passing　it；
another　fruitless　effort　to　regain　her　ground；　but　she　was　swept
along　steadily　towards　the　Gate；　the　whitening　bar；　and　the　open
sea。

She　knew　now　what　it　all　meant。　　This　was　what　she　had　come　for；
this　was　the　end！　　Beyond；　only　a　little　beyond；　just　a　few　moments
longer　to　wait；　and　then；　out　there　among　the　breakers　was　the　rest
that　she　had　longed　for　but　had　not　dared　to　seek。　　It　was　not　her
fault；　they　could　not　blame　HER。　　He　would　come　back　and　never　know
what　had　happenednor　even　know　how　she　had　tried　to　atone　for　her
deceit。　　And　he　would　find　his　house　in　possession　ofofthose
devils！　　No！　No！　she　must　not　die　yet；　at　least　not　until　she　had
warned　the　Fort。　　She　seized　the　oars　again　with　frenzied　strength；
the　boat　had　stopped　under　the　unwonted　strain；　staggered；　tried　to
rise　in　an　uplifted　sea；　took　part　of　it　over　her　bow；　struck　down
Mrs。　Bunker　under　half　a　ton　of　blue　water　that　wrested　the　oars
from　her　paralyzed　hands　like　playthings；　swept　them　over　the
gunwale；　and　left　her　lying　senseless　in　the　bottom　of　the　boat。

　　　　　　　　。　　　　　　　　。　　　　　　　　。　　　　　　　　。　　　　　　　　。　　　　　　　　。

〃Hold　har…rdor　you'll　run　her　down。〃

〃Now　then；　Riley；look　alive；is　it　slapin'　ye　are！〃

〃Hold　yer　jaw；　Flanigan；　and　stand　ready　with　the　boat…hook。　　Now
then；　hold　har…rd！〃

The　sudden　jarring　and　tilting　of　the　water…logged　boat；　a　sound　of
rasping　timbers；　the　swarming　of　men　in　shirtsleeves　and　blue
trousers　around　her；　seemed　to　rouse　her　momentarily；　but　she　again
fainted　away。

When　she　struggled　back　to　consciousness　once　more　she　was　wrapped
in　a　soldier's　jacket；　her　head　pillowed　on　the　shirt…sleeve　of　an
artillery　corporal　in　the　stern　sheets　of　that　eight…oared
government　barge　she　had　remembered。　　But　the　only　officer　was　a
bareheaded；　boyish　lieutenant；　and　the　rowers　were　an　athletic　but
unseamanlike　crew　of　mingled　artillerymen　and　infantry。

〃And　where　did　ye　drift　from；　darlint？〃

Mrs。　Bunker　bridled　feebly　at　the　epithet。

〃I　didn't　drift。　　I　was　going　to　the　Fort。〃

〃The　Fort；　is　it？〃

〃Yes。　　I　want　to　see　the　general。〃

〃Wadn't　the　liftenant　do　ye？　　Or　shure　there's　the　adjutant；　he's　a
foine　man。〃

〃Silence；　Flanigan；〃　said　the　young　officer　sharply。　　Then　turning
to　Mrs。　Bunker　he　said；　〃Don't　mind　HIM；　but　let　his　wife　take　you
to　the　canteen；　when　we　get　in；　and　get　you　some　dry　clothes。〃

But　Mrs。　Bunker；　spurred　to　convalescence　at　the　indignity；
protested　stiffly；　and　demanded　on　her　arrival　to　be　led　at　once　to
the　general's　quarters。　　A　few　officers；　who　had　been　attracted　to
the　pier　by　the　rescue；　acceded　to　her　demand。

She　recognized　the　gray…haired；　handsome　man　who　had　come　ashore
at　her　house。　　With　a　touch　of　indignation　at　her　treatment；　she
briefly　told　her　story。　　But　the　general　listened　coldly　and
gravely　with　his　eyes　fixed　upon　her　face。

〃You　say　you　recognized　in　the　leader　of　the　party　a　man　you　had
seen　before。　　Under　what　circumstances？〃

Mrs。　Bunker　hesitated　with　burning　cheeks。　　〃He　came　to　take
Colonel　Marion　from　our　place。〃

〃When　you　were　hiding　him；yes；　we've　heard　the　story。　　Now；　Mrs。
Bunker；　may　I　ask　you　what　you；　as　a　Southern　sympathizer；　expect
to　gain　by　telling　me　this　story？〃

But　here　Mrs。　Bunker　burst　out。　　〃I　am　not　a　Southern　sympathizer！
Never！　Never！　Never！　　I'm　a　Union　woman；wife　of　a　Northern　man。
I　helped　that　man　before　I　knew　who　he　was。　　Any　Christian；
Northerner　or　Southerner；　would　have　done　the　same！〃

Her　sincerity　and　passion　were　equally　unmistakable。　　The　general
rose；　opened　the　door　of　the　adjoining　room；　said　a　few　words　to　an
orderly　on　duty；　and　returned。　　〃What　you　are　asking　of　me；　Mrs。
Bunker；　is　almost　as　extravagant　and　unprecedented　as　your　story。
You　must　understand；　as　well　as　your　husband；　that　if　I　land　a
force　on　your　property　it　will　be　to　TAKE　POSSESSION　of　it　in　the
name　of　the　Government；　for　Government　purposes。〃

〃Yes；　yes；〃　said　Mrs。　Bunker　eagerly；　〃I　know　that。　　I　am　willing；
Zephas　will　be　willing。〃

〃And；〃　continued　the　general；　fixing　his　eyes　on　her　face；　〃you
will　also　understand　that　I　may　be　compelled　to　detain　you　here　as
a　hostage　for　the　safety　of　my　men。〃

〃Oh　no！　no！　please！〃　said　Mrs。　Bunker；　springing　up　with　an
imploring　feminine　gesture；　〃I　am　expecting　my　husband。　　He　may
be　coming　back　at　any　moment；　I　must　be　there　to　see　him　FIRST！
Please　let　me　go　back；　sir；　with　your　men；　put　me　anywhere　ashore
between　them　and　those　men　that　are　coming。　　Lock　me　up；　keep　me　a
prisoner　in　my　own　home；　do　anything　else　if　you　think　I　am
deceiving　you；　but　don't　keep　me　here　to　miss　him　when　he　comes！〃

〃But　you　can　see　him　later；〃　said　the　general。

〃But　I　must　see　him　FIRST；〃　said　Mrs。　Bunker　desperately。　　〃I　must
see　him　first；　forforHE　KNOWS　NOTHING　OF　THIS。　　He　knows
nothing　of　my　helping　Colonel　Marion；　he　knows　nothing　ofhow
foolish　I　have　been；　andhe　must　not　know　it　from　others！　　There！〃
It　was　out　at　last。　　She　was　sobbing　now；　but　her　pride　was　gone。
She　felt　relieved；　and　did　not　even　notice　the　presence　of　two　or
three　other　officers；　who　had　entered　the　room；　exchanged　a　few
hurried　words　with　their　superior；　and　were　gazing　at　her　in
astonishment。

The　general's　brow　relaxed；　and　he　smiled。　　〃Very　well；　Mrs。
Bunker；　it　shall　be　as　you　like；　then。　　You　shall　go　and　meet　your
husband　with　Captain　Jennings　here；〃indicating　one　of　the
officers；〃who　will　take　charge　of　you　and　the　party。〃

〃And；〃　said　Mrs。　Bunker；　looking　imploringly　through　her　wet　but
pretty　lashes　at　the　officer；　〃he　won't　say　anything　to　Zephas；
either？〃

〃Not　a　syllable；〃　said　Captain　Jennings　gravely。　　〃But　while　the
tug　is　getting　ready；　general；　hadn't　Mrs。　Bunker　better　go　to　Mrs。
Flanigan？〃

〃I　think　not；〃　said　the　general；　with　a　significant　look　at　the
officer　as　he　gallantly　offered　his　arm　to　the　astonished　Mrs。
Bunker；　〃if　she　will　allow　me　the　pleasure　of　taking　her　to　my
wife。〃

There　was　an　equally　marked　respect　in　the　manner　of　the　men　and
officers　as　Mrs。　Bunker　finally　stepped　on　board　the　steam　tug　that
was　to　convey　the　party　across　the　turbulent　bay。　　But　she　heeded
it　not；　neither　did　she　take　any　concern　of　the　still　furious　gale；
the　difficult　landing；　the　preternatural　activity　of　the　band　of
sappers；　who　seemed　to　work　magic　with　their　picks　and　shovels；　the
shelter　tents　that　arose　swiftly　around　her；　the　sheds　and　bush
inclosures　that　were　evoked　from　the　very　ground　beneath　her　feet；
the　wonderful　skill；　order；　and　discipline　that　in　a　few　hours
converted　her　straggling　dominion　into　a　formal　camp；　even　to　the
sentinel；　who　was　already　calmly　pacing　the　rocks　by　the　landing　as
if　he　had　being　doing　it　for　years！　　Only　one　thing　thrilled　her
the　sudden　outburst；　fluttering　and　snapping　of　the　national　flag
from　her　little　flagstaff。　　He　would　see　itand　perhaps　be
pleased！

And　indeed　it　seemed　as　if　the　men　had　caught　the　infection　of　her
anxiety；　for　when　her　strained　eyes　could　no　longer　pierce　the
murky　twilight　settling　over　the　Gate；　one　came　running　to　her　to
say　that　the　lookout　had　just　discovered　through　his　glass　a　close…
reefed　schooner　running　in　before　the　wind。　　It　was　her　husband；
and　scarcely　an　hour　after　night　had　shut　in　the　schooner　had
rounded　to　off　the　Point；　dropped　her　boat；　and　sped　away　to
anchorage。　　And　then　Mrs。　Bunker；　running　bareheaded　down　the
rocks；　breaking　in　upon　the　hurried　explanation　of　the　officer　of
the　guard；　threw　herself　upon　her　husband's　breast；　and　sobbed　and
laughed　as　if　her　heart　would　break！

Nor　did　she　scarcely　hear　his　hurried　comment　to　the　officer　and
unconscious　corroboration　of　her　story：　how　a　brig　had　raced　them
from　the　Gate；　was　heading　for　the　bar；　but　suddenly　sheered　off
and　put　away　to　sea　again；　as　if　from　some　signal　from　the
headland。　　〃Yesthe　bluff；〃　interrupted　Captain　Jennings　bitterly；
〃I　thought　of　that；　but　the　old　man　said　it　was　more　diplomatic
just　now　to　PREVENT　an　attempt　than　even　to　successfully　resist
it。〃

But　when　they　were　alone　again　in　their　little　cottage；　and　Zephas'
honest　eyeswith　no　trace　of　evil　knowledge　or　suspicion　in　their
homely；　neutral　lightnesswere　looking　into　hers　with　his　usual
simple　trustfulness；　Mrs。　Bunker　trembled；　whimpered；　andI　grieve
to　saybasely　funked　her　boasted　confession。　　But　here　the　Deity
which　protects　feminine　weakness　intervened　with　the　usual　miracle。
As　he　gazed　at　his　wife's　troubled　face；　an　apologetic　cloud　came
over　his　rugged　but　open　brow；　and　a　smile　of　awkward　deprecating
embarrassment　suffused　his　eyes。　　〃I　declare　to　goodness；　Mollie；
but　I　must　tell　you　suthin；　although　I　guess　I　didn't　kalkilate　to
say　a　word　about　it。　　But；　darn　it　all；　I　can't　keep　it　in。　　No！
Lookin'　inter　that　innercent　f