in the air and what little sunlight was occa- | posture, and seizing in his right hand his sionally thrown upon it through the dense branches of the forest. There are situations in which the mind is nerved to do that from which, in cooler moments, it would shrink with disgust. It chanced that Collins had retained the scalp so singularly found at the bottom of the river by Corporal Nixon, and this circumstance at once determined him. Instead of hastening by an object so appalling, Collins rested his musket against a tree, and taking the scalp from between the ramrod and the stock, where he had introduced it, knelt by the body, and spreading out the humid skin to its fullest extent, applied it to the bleeding excavation. As he had suspected, they corresponded exactly, making due allowance for the time they had been separated, and he had now no longer a doubt that the mutilated boy was Wilton, one of Mr. Heywood's "helps." A much more important discovery than this, however, resulted from his vain endeavours to recognise the boy from his features-these were so contracted with terror, as has already been said, and so covered with blood, as to be undistinguishable. But on turning him on his back and passing his hands over his face, Collins was surprised to find that there was not that icy chill which he had expected; on the contrary, the faint warmth which indicates suspended animation; and deeper yet was the gratification of the rude soldier when, on opening the shirt, and placing his hand on the heart of the boy, he felt an occasional and spasmodic pulsation, denoting that life was not utterly extinct. With an eagerness to preserve life in strong contrast with his recent triumph at destroying it, his anxiety for the recovery of the boy was almost paternal. Fortunately, the latter part of the day had been free from the chilliness of the morning, so that although the naked skull must have been for some hours exposed, the genial state of the atmosphere gave fair earnest that the brain itself, even if affected, had not sustained mortal injury. Spreading wide the scalp in his open palms, Collins now breathed heavily upon it until it attained what he conceived to be the necessary warmth, when, gently applying it to the denuded crown, to which he fitted it as well as he could, he passed his handkerchief, which he had removed from his throat, over it and under the chin of the boy, securing it in such manner as to prevent the chill of the approaching night from affecting the injured part. This done, he poured a few drops of whiskey from his canteen through his closed lips, then wrapping him up in the bearskin, and raising him gently on his left shoulder, he rose from his stooping musket, which he continued at the trail, pursued his route to the haystacks as directed. In the mean time, Corporal Nixon, with the remainder of the fishing party, was slowly descending the river, hugging the eastern shore as closely as possible, in order that if, suddenly attacked, they might on the instant leap into the river, and, covering themselves by the boat, fight their enemies at less disadvantage. The Corporal himself and Weston kept a vigilant look-out, the one at the bow, the other at the stern, while the four remaining men, Jackson, Green, Philips, and Cass, pulled so noiselessly that the dip of their oars, and the unavoidable jar of the rowlocks could not be heard at a distance of more than ten yards. At this slow rate much time was necessarily consumed, so that it was quite dark when they reached the traverse opposite the farm where Eph Giles had crossed, and whither Collins had been despatched to make his observations. The patience of the latter had been much tried, for it had seemed to him that his comrades had been an age in making their appearance. The sun was just setting as he had reached the outermost haystack, and his anxiety for his charge had become intense. Seeing the canoe drawn up on the beach, and the paddles in it, he had felt a strong inclination to cross, and procure some efficient relief for the insensible boy, but the silence that reigned around the dwelling had awed him, and checked this first and natural impulse. Not a soul was to be seen-not a voice to be heard-not even the barking of Loup Garou, the bleating of a sheep, or the lowing of an ox. What could this mean? and was the fate of the boy connected with that of the other inmates of the farm? If so, where were they? Another consideration induced Collins to suppress his first impulse, and that was the apprehension that his strange charge might be detained by Mr. Heywood, when his only chance of recovery lay in the speedy examination and dressing of his injuries by the surgeon. There was no alternative then but to wait patiently for the arrival of the boat, into which the boy could be placed, and so conveyed to the Fort. Meanwhile, as the night air was becoming chill, and a slight fog rising from the water, the considerate soldier did all he could to shield his protégé from their pernicious effect. Strewing on the ground a few armsful of hay taken from the stack around which the hungry cattle now gathered, eager for food, he extended on it the yet inanimate form of the youth, embracing the body in order to impart to it the benefit of animal heat, and in this position, his head being slightly raised, engerly endeavoured to discern, through the darkness, not only what might be seen on the opposite shore, but the approach of the party in the boat. The sun had now been down more than two hours, and so dark was it, that in that narrow space, obscured by the blending shadows of the tall forests on either shore, it was difficult, at five yards' distance, to distinguish anything moving on the water, unaccompanied by light or sound. This silence was anything but agreeable to Collins, whose imagination, excited by the later occurrences of the day, was filled with strange misgivings, as he looked in vain for the customary lights in the farm-house. The fishing party had never been out so late, and yet, at the very first fall of darkness, they had been accustomed to see the place exhibiting at least one light, and the absence of this now caused Collins heartily to wish himself in the boat, and safely moored under cover of the Fort. Not that the soldier was influenced by apprehensions of personal danger, but because the darkness, the solitude and silence of the scene, coupled with his newly-awakened interest in the almost corpse that lay in close contact with his person, impressed him with a sort of superstitious feeling, not at all lessened by the knowledge that his only companion at that moment belonged rather to the grave than to upper earth. At length his anxiety was relieved. The sound of the oars, cautiously pulled, faintly met his ears, and then the boat could be indistinctly seen approaching the canoe. To this succeeded a low call uttered by the Corporal. Collins replied in a similar tone, and then, bearing the body of the boy, still enveloped in the bearskin, he, in less than a minute, rejoined his party. The astonishment of the latter may be well conceived in witnessing so unexpected a sight, nor was their feeling of awe at all diminished when their comrade briefly related what had occurred since he left them. "Strange enough this," said the Corporal musingly, "stranger still that there's no light in the house. It is neither too early nor too late for that. I'll tell you what, my lads, if anything has happened, we must know the worst. It will never do to go back to the Fort without being able to give some notion of what took place under our very noses." "What would Mr. Renayne say if we did?" added Jackson. "Yes, and what would that sweet young lady, Miss Heywood, think of us if we returned without giving some good news of her father? Why she would never look upon us kindly again." "Right, Philips," said Weston, "and I'm sure I'd rather offend the Captain himself, and stand a picketing, than do anything to displease her. God grant we bring her no bad news." "Amen," said the Corporal gravely, for he, like Collins, had some strange misgivings, arising naturally from the utter silence and darkness that continued to prevail in and around the farm-house. "Are you all loaded? Look to your primings, but make no noise. Somebody must take charge of the boat though. Who volunteers to remain, while the rest follow me to the house?" "I do; I'll remain," said Collins; "one of you can take my musket." "What, Collins, do you shirk the thing?" remarked the morose-looking man with the long hooked nose and the peaked chin; “have you had enough work to-day, or do you fear the ghost of the fellow you knocked over ?" "I fear neither man nor ghost, as you well know, Nutcrackers," warmly returned Collins; "but I take it there's no great courage in making a fuss about going where there's no If there has been danger enemy to be found. there, it's passed over now, and as somebody must stop in the boat, why not me as well as another?" "Just so," said the Corporal. "Cass, this is no time to run your rigs. You see well enough that Collins wishes to stop behind on account of the boy he hopes to bring to life. Little chance of that, I fear; but if he thinks so, it would be unchristian to disappoint him. And now push off, but make no noise." The order was obeyed. In a few minutes the bow of the boat touched the opposite landing-place, when all but Collins, who was at the helm, stepped noiselessly ashore. The Corporal repeated his instructions how to act under emergency, and if separated; and moved along the path leading to the house. Meanwhile Collins pulled back into the stream, and remained stationary in the centre. (To be continued.) THE CREVASSE, OR THE WIDOW MORE L. BY E. B. GARDETTE, M.D. Mrs. Morel, though still in the prime of life, was suffering from a rheumatic affection, which scarcely permitted her, on that morning, to reach the neighbouring market-place, supplied with green-house plants and flowers, and where she habitually procured those she needed for her holy purpose. Her lameness tempted her now, for the first time, to permit Leopold to go THE spring rains in the latitude of New Orleans are so heavy and incessant, as to astonish and even terrify those who are unaccustomed to that climate, and sometimes involve a serious danger to person and property, from the singular rapidity with which the city may be flooded. The rain falls in such torrents, as almost to lose, or to seem to lose, its character of multiplied drops of water, and become as one wide-alone to the cemetery, about a mile distant spread stream pouring from the mouth of some enormous vessel, upheld by mighty and invisible hands, above this deluged spot of earth. The suddenness too with which these rain-clouds burst, affords but little notice to the unprotected pedestrian, who is often drenched before he has fairly thought of the necessity for seeking shelter or a safe footing. About the year 1810, no attempt had yet been made to pave the streets of New Orleans, and indeed the character of the soil, which seems but a crust of earth with water a few inches below its surface, still induced the belief that paving was impracticable. At this period the citizens often witnessed the curious sight of navigation immediately through the streets boats traversing the town, as the only medium of intercourse between the inhabitants for two or three days together; while through the same aquatic channel came the necessary supplies from the butcher and the baker. It was but a few hours in advance of one of these heavy deluging rains in the month of April, that the poor Widow Morel had sent her little son, now about eight years of age, with the early flowers of the South, to deck his little sister's grave;-a pious duty, which yearly until that day, since the death of her promising Emma, had been faithfully performed by the fond mother. Leopold, the only remaining child of Mrs. Morel, was a fair-haired boy, whose pale cheek and languid blue eye bespoke an appearance of more fragile health than was really his portion; for this resulted rather from sedentary habits and close and constant companionship with his mother, than from any bodily ailment. The boy's heart beat proudly at the suggestion that he should go alone and perform the sacred task they had many times accomplished together, of strewing fresh flowers upon the tomb of their dear Emma. from her humble dwelling. Accordingly he was soon dressed in his best suit, and in his hand held the little basket of sweet flowers, as he listened attentively to his good mother's parting instructions. She had more than once repeated her earnest injunctions "not to stop by the wayside," either going or returning, and "Remember, my darling boy," said the fond mother, as she constrained his eagerness to start upon his proud errand, and recalled inwardly the sentiments associated with flowers, "remember, my son, these are the blue violets and half-blown roses (expressing love); these the passion-flowers, amaranths and white daisies (hope and immortality and innocence), which you will carefully place at the head of sister's grave." With her hand still on the basket, she continued pointing to the flowers: "Next are the yellow and purple heart's ease (forget me not); the rosemary (for remembrance)-these are for the centre of the tomb; and then the heliotrope and locust (devotion and affection beyond the grave) are for the foot." Mrs. Morel made her interpretations of the language of flowers in thought only, and yet they seemed comforting to her heart. She now terminated her instructions by saying, "You will be sure to place the flowers, my son, as mother has directed you, and then think of the little prayer she has taught you to say at sister's grave." Imprinting a gentle kiss upon his cheek, that now was blooming with excitement, the mother, from her doorstep, saw her boy depart upon his sacred duty; her heart was sad with the associations of the past, and her eyes watched his cherished form, until it was no longer visible in the dim distance, and then with a feeling of irresistible melancholy, she returned to her neat little apartment, and sat down to her needlework. In the first half hour after Leopold's departure, Mrs. Morel drew from her bosom an old silver lever watch, one of the few legacies that still remained of her late husband's limited property; and she was greatly surprised to discover that only thirty minutes had elapsed; it seemed so much longer, and yet ere another half hour had slowly passed away, the mother opened a door leading out upon her front balcony, and looked in the direction of the cemetery. The beloved object her eyes were in search of, was nowhere visible, but she plainly and quickly saw a coming storm; black clouds were rapidly and fearfully gathering, with all the indications of heavy thunder; and ere Mrs. Morel had reached the chamber for preparations to go after her son, and again returned to the front of the house, the rain was already falling fast. Her anxiety of mind hurried her on, heedless of exposure and forgetful of her lameness or delicate health. She knew the dangerous character of the floods at that season, and her heart now pictured them in their most exaggerated form, when her little Leopold was alone and exposed. No rheumatic pain could be imagined as having recently afflicted her, whilst with a scanty umbrella, upheld by a more fragile hand, she started at a rapid pace, seeming rather to run than walk. At the end of the first square, the high wind dragged the poor covering from her grasp, and her umbrella in another moment, was seen whirling round the corner, far beyond reach or recovery. But this did not delay her steps; her thin locks and clothing drenched, with uplifted hands, and calling aloud for Leopold! Leopold! she still attempted to make "headway" against the swelling streams that rushed across or followed her path, with equal danger at the various angles, as the ungraded streets might direct them. From several windows as she passed, the promptly lifted sash and unheeded expressions, bespoke hospitable, kind hearts within, offering shelter from the storm; but so long as her strength endured she struggled onward, paying no heed to summons of kindness, or dangers and suffering to herself. Had the alarmed and excited feelings of Mrs. Morel permitted her to notice the scene of passing events around her, at such a moment of general consternation, her better judgment would have pointed out the fruitless helplessness of her attempt. At one point, ere she reached it, she might have seen the long line of a funeral procession, with priests at its head, greatly quicken the slow dignified movement habitual in the journeys with the dead, and eventually take shelter, as best they could, within the houses in front of which they were passing. Had she then paused for a short time, she might have observed the drenched driver of the lightly framed hearse quit his seat for safety, as he found his horse about to be swamped and eventually disappear in the middle of Custom-house Street. But the poor mother saw none of these trou how rapidly the minutes were passing away. bles or difficulties; her own were too overwhelm- | moment, as he thought, to observe them, while ing to allow attention to any others. Her pro-interest in the scene made him a poor judge gress had been but slight in comparison with her wishes or her exertions, and she had scarcely accomplished more than half the distance to the cemetery, when the cry of" Crevasse! Crevasse!" was hoarsely shouted in her ears by a man, who ran past her at the top of his speed. This startling word added greatly to the existing terror of the drooping woman, and she fell prostrate upon the door-sill of the nearest house, fainting with suffering and fatigue. She was soon perceived by the family and carried in, the citizens being very generally watchful at such moments, either to succour the helpless and distressed, or to laugh at the precipitate movements of those who are unwilling to receive such duckings upon broadcloth. Whilst the cries of "Crevasse !" were multiplying with the increasing sense of danger, too well understood in those days by the inhabitants of New Orleans, the poor widow was kindly and tenderly cared for under the hospitable roof of a wealthy lady; and while dry clothing and restoratives were being provided for her, little Leopold was not so lucky in misfortune. The city had become at once in a convulsed condition of excitement and apprehension, from the announcement by many voices that the longfeared crevasse had at last taken place. For some weeks, rumour, with her many exaggerating tongues, had alarmed the timid, and roused the preparations of the prudent, with unfounded reports of a break in the Levee at one point or another above the town. The high state of the waters in the Mississippi at this season of floods, gave good grounds for fear, and now they were destined to be realized by this sweeping and frightful visitation. So well is the danger of a crevasse understood on the Mississippi, that the dwellings, and particularly those out of the city in isolated situations, are built upon piers, with hydraulic cement, eight or ten feet high, which brings the first floors above high-water mark. In the city of New Orleans this may be the reason why the basement story, in those days of insecurity, was generally devoted to horses and cows, while the family resided above them. But to return to Leopold. Intent upon the strict performance of the duty entrusted to him, he had quickly reached his little sister's tomb, and the fresh flowers were disposed of according to his mother's directions. He had murmured the inward prayer, and rubbing off the tear from his cheek, he started on his return homeward. Not many paces from the gate of the cemetery, Leopold encountered boys at play. The marble-ring and chalked fingers were rare and seducing sights to one of his domestic habits, and he stopped but a brief | 17 VOL. VI. The cemetery was situated in the lowest ground about New Orleans, and presented at the period we speak of, an appearance quite peculiar to itself, and very different from such domiciles for the dead, at the North. The shallow earth did not permit the digging of graves,* and hence the bodies are disposed of (we cannot say buried) above the ground in a species of ovens or narrow vaults, several of which often cluster together, both side by side and over one another; a few are sufficiently spacious to bear some resemblance upon the surface of the earth, to our vaults below it. The shrubs and flowers indigenous to the climate, ornament the grounds, but the deficiency of shade trees, and especially of solemn lofty evergreens, deprived the spot of an important feature, lending an air of sanctity and quietude such as belong to "Laurel Hill" and "Mount Auburn." The storm came up suddenly, as we have said, and it had begun to rain quite fast ere Leopold was conscious of it, and when, with the rest of the boys, he felt its rapid increase, in his momentary fright at seeing himself thus caught unprotected, he started to run with all possible speed, as he thought, towards his home. But he had unluckily gone up the wrong street, at right angles with that he should have taken to reach his mother's house, and was unconsciously directing his course towards a bayou or basin on the outskirts of the town. The increasing rain and fast-swelling waters hastened him along, and amounted to a stream that would have greatly impeded his progress had he been going in the opposite direction; but its even more unfortunate tendency was towards the low grounds of the bayou, and when, after a short time, there came added to the rain, a sudden and heavy rush of waters in the rear of poor little Leopold, he was soon overtaken by a strong, irresistible current, and his feet were carried from under him. The efforts of the alarmed boy to regain his footing were unavailing, and his resisting limbs were overpowered by the violence with which he was, from time to time, thrown against projecting It is among the painful tales connected with this fact, that at periods of great mortality from the yellow fever, a summary mode of disposing of the dead was adopted, by opening a small hole about eighteen inches square, and of no greater depth, into which one end of the coffin being placed, a single kick from the undertaker at once and effectually finished the job. The coffin instantly disappeared, and the same opening admitted of as many repetitions of the same quick ceremony as might be needed. But whether any increased faith in the theory of Captain Semmes and his big hollow at the north pole, resulted to the people of Louisiana from this mysterious disposition of their dead, we are unable to determine. |
