Bracebridge Hemyng

“ Jack nodded, and seeing Captain Cannon out, excused himself to Mr. Mole and sent for Monday, to whom he confided the fact that he was going to France to fight a duel.
"You fight a jewell, Marse Jack?" said Monday; "what you want to do that for?"
"It is a point of honor. Don't you see? I struck this man and must give him satisfaction."
"You leave him to me and I put six inches of bowie-knife in him, for suah."
Monday's eyes gleamed like those of a cougar, and it was clear that he meant what he said.
"Don't ever talk to me like that again," exclaimed Jack. "I am no assassin." ”

“ You cowardly ruffians always use the knife. I prefer the pistol," replied his lordship.
He went rapidly to an escritoire and drew out an ivory-handled pistol.
"This is my answer to you," he cried.
Bambino shrunk back, but he was unable to avoid the ball which his lordship fired at him.
There was an explosion, a puff of smoke and the crafty Italian fell on the floor, the blood welling from a wound in his head.
Hastily Lord Maltravers placed the pistol in the death-like clutch of his victim. ”

“ A Philadelphian is happy at home, a New Yorker is ignorant of the meaning of the word 'Home,'" replied Mr. Mole.
"Oh! pshaw," said Jack, impatiently. "Have sense. Tell me if there is any bliss comparable to that of having a sweet little darling always in the house when you want her?"
"Suppose she is there when you do not want her?"
"I can not admit any such supposition. Go and play your game."
"I will."
"You and Maltravers ought to be in the same game."
"Why?"
"Because it is 'base.'"
"Oh!" cried the professor. "What have I done to deserve this? ”

“ Jack Harkaway was astonished at this revelation.
"He may have remarked that I admired you, Miss Van Hoosen," he exclaimed. "But he was quite unwarranted in saying what he did. If he attempts to pick a quarrel with me, let him beware."
"That is precisely what I want you to avoid," she replied.
"No matter; the days of dueling are not yet over. In France a man can seek satisfaction for his wounded honor."
"Let me beg and pray of you, to keep away from Lord Maltravers." ”

“ Harvey contented himself with cutting Mr. Twinkle's hair as short as he could, and Van Hoosen did the same for the fire-eating captain.
They then tore up their hats and the close-cropped looked as if they had just come out of jail, while Mole's polished crown shone in the sunshine like a ball of ivory.
Mr. Twinkle and the captain had to give up all their valuables, which they did gladly, thinking they were very lucky to escape with their lives.
"White men crawl on belly, like snake, and kiss Indians' feet," exclaimed Jack. ”

“ The marriage is to take place to-morrow."
"So soon?"
"Yes. I give you my word I am nearly crazy, for I love that girl better than my life."
Mr. Mole heaved a deep sigh.
"I loved once," he said, "and my wife used to go for my scalp, which had the effect of destroying love's young dream."
"I should think so," replied Harvey.
"But, my dear sir," exclaimed Jack, "you will admit, I hope, that married life is the happiest state of existence."
"I'll admit nothing."
"No happiness is to be found outside of the home circle."
"It depends on a man's temperament, also on how a man is brought up. ”

“ Alfred. What dreadful language!"
"You do not know so much about him as I do. I am Harkaway's friend now, and I don't want you to encourage Maltravers. You will do that much for me?"
"I can make no promise."
"Why not?"
"I must obey mamma—oh!" she added, while the tears flooded her eyes, "I wish I had never been born!"
"That is a foolish wish."
"No. You have never known what it is to struggle between inclination and duty," said Lena.
"That will do. I am satisfied with that answer!" cried Alfred Van Hoosen. "Be true to yourself, sis, and trust to my inventive faculties to make you happy." ”

“ You must become Lady Maltravers or I will disown you. Girls do not know what's good for them."
"Pity me, mamma," cried Lena.
"I will not; pity would be wasted on so silly a girl. Think of the brilliant match I have arranged for you! There are very few young ladies who would refuse Lord Maltravers with his ancient lineage, fine form and splendid income."
"I do not love him."
"Pshaw! People do not marry for love nowadays. Accept his lordship in a week or prepare to leave my house forever."
"I will obey you, mamma," replied Lena.
Mrs. Van Hoosen bent over and kissed her affectionately. ”

“ The hired assassin of your sworn enemy, Lord Maltravers."
"Absurd!" exclaimed Jack. "The fellow perished at sea. We know that very well."
"Never mind; the face haunts me."
"You shouldn't indulge such silly fancies, Dick. I tell you the rascal is as dead as a doornail," replied Jack.
Just then, Mr. Cobb rushed up and seized Harkaway rudely by the arm.
"Hello!" exclaimed Jack. "What's the matter with you? Has every one got a mania for jostling me to-night?"
"My wallet, my wallet!" cried Mr. Cobb. ”

“ With a snort of mingled rage and pain, the horse rushed at the jump and cleared it; but he was docile no longer, for he dashed away in a manner which showed that he meant to have his own way.
"Go it, my beauty!" muttered Jack, "we'll soon see who is master."
Warrior was not at all backward in accepting this challenge, and made the running in fine style, taking leap after leap like a deer. ”

“ Why not have your fortune told?"
"Where?" said Lena, struck with this novel suggestion.
"There is one clairvoyant in this street, who always tells true. She is called Vesta Levine."
"Have you been there?"
"Oui, ma'm'selle, and she tell me I shall some day marry a prince, with so much money he can not spend it."
"That is encouraging," said Miss Van Hoosen with a smile. "Give me my hat; we will go to your fortune-teller, for I should like to know whom I am likely to marry."
"In France," exclaimed Fifine, "women never marry; it is the men who marry them. ”

“ I trusted a bad man and my punishment is more than I can bear. Yet, the water is near, and there is one refuge for the weary and heart-broken. Farewell, Arthur. May God forgive you, as does your Adéle."
Not a muscle of Maltravers's face moved. He stared coldly at this poor girl whom he had wronged so infamously and there was an aristocratic sneer on his well-cut lip.
She staggered rather than walked to the door. She descended the stairs like one dazed. The iron had entered into her soul, and those hearts which have been seared by the burning hand of misfortune can alone sympathize with her. ”

“ Scarcely had the dull, heavy beat of the enormous engines made themselves heard in the vibrating ship than a commotion was seen in the forecastle.
Jack ran forward to ascertain the cause.
A man was seen struggling fiercely with the sailors, who were trying to detain him.
It was Bambino.
By some means, while the steamer was lying to, he had contrived to escape from the place in which he was confined.
"Stop him!" cried Jack. "Knock him down, he is dangerous."
Bambino, however, was too much for his opponents, and dashing them on one side, made a flying leap and sprung over the side into the sea. ”

“ It would have broken my heart to go to my mother and ask her to pay my debts of honor. You have saved me."
Jack's face lighted up with a faint smile.
It was the brother of the girl he loved who was talking to him.
"I'm awfully glad," he said. "It pleases me to help a man out of a bad place. If your man will give me my coat, I'll go home now, and send you the colors in the morning. I've got friends here—drove my drag down, you know, and I fear I have neglected them."
"Sit down a moment," replied Van Hoosen. "You're a fine fellow, Harkaway, and I'm sorry for what I said yesterday." ”

“ My friends came over to find buffaloes in New York."
Alfred Van Hoosen burst into a roar of laughter.
"Buffaloes in New York!" he said. "You surely are not serious."
"Indeed I am."
"Why, you might as well look for Indians on Staten Island. Is it possible that educated Englishmen, such as any friends of yours must be, can be so ignorant?"
"The average Englishman," replied Jack, "knows about as much of America, as he does of Kamschatka." ”

“ The first set of hurdles was cleared; at the second, Warrior stumbled; but a vigorous hand on the reins and a sharp reminder with the whip, showed him his duty, and he went over.
At the third and last set, the second horse fell heavily, throwing his rider.
Harkaway was now second in the race, the leader being on the home stretch, and going in a somewhat labored manner.
Going over the last fence, Jack put all his horsemanship into requisition.
The grand stand was in view, and the hoarse roar of thousands of voices became audible.
"Ride or die!" thought Jack, "and by Jove I'll do it." ”

“ Mind yourself, my lord," Jack exclaimed.
He raised his fist and dealt Maltravers a blow which the other vainly endeavored to ward off.
His lordship fell heavily against the wall and the blood flowed from a cut in his face, which extended the whole length of the right cheek.
"Good heavens!" said Simpkins. "The man is a butcher. He has marked you for life, Maltravers." ”

“ Mrs. Van Hoosen bowed her acquiescence.
"Allow me to ask the minister one question," said Jack.
"What is it?" inquired the minister.
"Is it lawful for a man to have two wives?"
"Certainly not."
"Then I forbid this marriage to proceed, for Lord Maltravers has a wife living."
"It is false," cried Maltravers.
"What proofs have you of this allegation?" inquired the minister.
"The lady herself."
The next moment Harvey, with a lady leaning on his arm, made his appearance.
The lady was Adéle Bellefontaine.
"Here is your wife, my lord," exclaimed Jack. ”

“ Four days after leaving Liverpool, the Erin encountered severe weather; the decks were swept by the sea fore and aft, and for six hours the hatches were battened down. When the storm ceased, the passengers came on deck once more and enjoyed the calm of the evening.
Jack and Bambino played eucher until midnight, when the Italian threw down the cards.
"I have had enough of it, if it is all the same to you," he exclaimed.
"But you have lost heavily," said Jack.
"Bah! what is that? to-day we lose, to-morrow we win. It is only a trifle, after all."
"As you please," replied Jack. ”

“ Harkaway?"
"I know him well."
"Again, good," exclaimed Maltravers, whose dark eyes flashed vindictively. "Harkaway is my enemy!"
"He shall die," said Bambino, solemnly.
"Very well. It is for you to see to that. I am in the position you see me now, through that man. He starts for New York on Saturday in the steamer Erin, following a lady I love, whom he intends to steal from me and marry, if I do not stop him. You will embark on the same vessel, and by the time I am well enough to join you in New York, you will have rendered a good account of him." ”

“ There goes the bell to clear the course, again, and most of the horses are in the paddock."
"Who shall I tell master is riding the horse, sir?"
"Say Mr. Smith," replied Jack, who wished to keep his identity concealed from Mr. Van Hoosen.
The trainer led the way to the stables; the jockey's dress was brought and put on; Warrior was led out. He was a powerful horse, well-bred and in every respect a magnificent animal. He threw his ears back and kicked out viciously as if to show his temper.
"What are you going to do, Jack?" asked Harvey.
"Ride the beauty," was the reply. ”

“ Cobb made his charge.
Jack indignantly denied the accusation, and demanded to be searched.
Imagine his dismay, when the searchers produced the missing wallet from the pocket of his overcoat.
"That's mine!" cried Mr. Cobb, exultantly. "What did I tell you?"
"Lock 'em both up," said the captain.
"I will send for the British Consul," exclaimed Jack. "This is some infamous plot."
"Bambino," muttered Harvey.
"Right, Dick; your eyes were better than mine. I ought to have known that the fellow was never born to be drowned," replied Jack.
"Put them in different cells," continued the captain. ”

“ Take her away."
"Ay, ay, sir," answered Jacques, who raised Adéle's slender form in his arms and transported her to the captain's cabin.
The skipper's wife was glad of a companion and at once proceeded to restore her to consciousness, while Jacques related the affair.
When Adéle opened her eyes she looked wildly around her and murmured: "Is this death?"
"No, deary," replied the captain's wife, "this is life. You were saved by Jacques here."
"Oh! let me die."
"What for, child? You are young and pretty. Life should have its charms for you." ”

“ Jack struck an attitude.
"Heap big Injun, ugh!" he exclaimed, amid much laughter.
They quickly proceeded to disguise themselves, tied feathers in their hair, put on their war-paint, and slung blankets over their shoulders.
While they were dressing the three buffalo-hunters were approaching the old bull, who watched them with as much curiosity as they displayed with regard to him.
"Twinkle," said the captain, "you are entitled to the first shot."
"N-no," replied Twinkle, with chattering teeth. "Think you ought to have the honor."
"I decline it."
"Then by all means let Mr. Mole attack the beast. ”