Hayrick

“ Alibamo was already seated in a rough cart which stood before the door. Hayward assisted his sister into it, and then entered himself, but stood erect, while the females were provided with seats. As they were driven onward, Branch rode by their side upon his horse. A crowd were following after them, and taunts and jeers were heard on every side.
"Oh! that I had a sword within my grasp, and was free from these shackles for a moment, I would teach those curs civility," cried Hayward.
"Oh! it won't matter to you long," said Branch. ”

“ As Branch saw the prostrate form of Hayward upon the ground, he cried:
"By heavens, it is the very man we want—it is Captain Hayward!"
"Ride over his body—trample him into the earth!" shouted one of the infuriated soldiers.
"No! no!" shrieked Branch. "If he yet lives he must be reserved for torture! It is our general's command. Let no one dare to disobey it. Ah! the fiends befriend me! There is Alibamo, and her horse has fallen!" ”

“ When Captain Hayward left the tent, he proceeded to the stream which skirted the woods. Bending over it, he bathed his fevered brow. Then he seated himself upon the bank of the river, and, resting his head upon his hands, was, for a long time, absorbed in his thoughts. A human form flitted lightly past. Hayward raised his head and listened, but all was quiet again, and, in the darkness of the night he could distinguish nothing.
“I was mistaken!” he said to himself. “If I was not, and a human being is around, I will wager it was Nettleton, who, anxious for my safety, has followed me.” ”

“ Hay possessed several of Hogarth's pictures. Garrick admitted that he had passed in Hay's company ‘some of the happiest hours of his life.’ When Hay intervened in the debates on Wilkes, he was taunted with his former intimacy with the agitator, and acknowledged the ‘pleasure and instruction’ which he had received in Wilkes's society. With his irregularities in private life and disregard of his profession his affairs became embarrassed, and under their pressure he put an end to his life on 6 Oct. 1778. Hay was an eloquent speaker and an ingenious advocate. ”

“ Those who look through telescopes are rarely so fortunate. It is odd that Hayley, a delicate and heavy man suffering from hip-disease, should have taken so little hurt. Although he had a covered passage for horse exercise in the grounds of his villa, no amount of practice seems to have improved his seat. This covered way has been removed, but a mulberry tree planted by Hayley still flourishes.
Whenever Hayley was ill he became an object of intense interest to visitors at Bognor. ”

“ But in an instant he recovered his self-possession, and said:
"I was conversing with General Price—not you, sir."
Branch bit his lips, but did not speak.
"Well, Captain Hayward, I must speak plainly, and I know you prefer I should do so. It is a pity such a man as you should die, and by the rope. I would much prefer to have met you on the battle-field, but it is too late now. The sentence of your crime is death, and but one thing can save you." ”

“ Harry seized the apron, and commenced waving it, and Alibamo began to sing.
"Silence!" cried Hayward, who came up at that moment. "Silence that traitorous song. And give me that ensign of abolitionism. For shame, young man. Love has made you blind. Don't you see that the lady's apron which you are waving is a federal flag? It may be very romantic to meet young ladies at midnight on a moonlit-rock, and whisper love-tales; but you, sir, must not wave such things as this, merely to conciliate angry brothers. Now, go to camp, sir, and if I catch you at such tricks again, I shall order your arrest. ”

“ But let me enjoin on you to be firm whatever may occur. Even though you see me march upon the scaffold, be firm, and hope. Remember what you said; it will only be death! If my enemies wish to torture me, the more keenly feel, the more they will exult. Hark! Some one approaches. We shall not long remain in ignorance. Remember, darling, let not a word or even a tear betray more than ordinary emotion."
The door was thrown open, and Branch entered. Hayward seated himself upon a rude box and Mamie knelt by his side.
"How is your wound, captain?" asked Branch. ”

“ Down the easterly slope of Fiske Hill stands a modest little farmhouse, on the southerly side of the road. It was then the home of Benjamin Fiske. The entire family had fled, and the stragglers from the British columns entered for pillage. One in his greed stayed too long. Brave James Hayward of Acton, willing to fight though exempt from military service because of a partially dismembered foot, met him at the door, laden with booty. The Briton recognized in Hayward an enemy, and raising his gun, exclaimed,
"You are a dead man!" ”

“ For some hours, Hayward and his sister were permitted to remain alone. Night was fast approaching. Nothing was heard without, but the coarse laugh and jests of the soldiers. As Hayward held his sister in his arms, he murmured:
"Would to God she could ever remain unconscious, or die to-night. I feel that a fate far worse than death awaits her, when I am gone, and to-morrow will surely be the fatal day. Oh, may God in his mercy protect this darling one!" ”

“ Since the Paris days Hayward had immersed himself in the modern French versifiers, and, such a plethora of poets is there in France, he had several new geniuses to tell Philip about. They walked through the gallery pointing out to one another their favourite pictures; one subject led to another; they talked excitedly. The sun was shining and the air was warm.
"Let's go and sit in the Park," said Hayward. "We'll look for rooms after luncheon."
The spring was pleasant there. It was a day upon which one felt it good merely to live. The young green of the trees was exquisite against the sky ”

“ Poor Hayward's body was brought into Gilgit, and he lies in an orchard close to the British Agency. I can quite imagine Hayward, or any man who has any appreciation of the grandeur of Nature in her wilder moods, wishing to see the sun rise once again over these tumbled masses of snow peaks and bare cliffs. The startling sensation of the immensity of these hills in comparison with man's minuteness strikes home with almost the stunning effect of a sudden blow. ”

“ At last Captain Hayward ordered a halt, and the party dismounted. The horses were secured to the surrounding trees, and Nettleton and the negro left to guard them.
"Come with me, comrades," said Hayward, as he took his course toward the river's bank.
In a moment they were seated by the side of the rapid Osage, entirely concealed by the thick growth of underbrush by which they were surrounded.
"It is better that our servants should not hear our conversation," remarked Hayward. "And now, gentlemen, we must lay our plans. I wish every one to speak freely. You know our object, of course." ”

“ Hayley came down to Harley Lodge, he was asked to bring his son with him. The invitation was repeated till it became customary; and till he was ten years of age, each Saturday saw Henry a guest at Lord Mellent's house, and the companion of his daughter.
Nothing to please or to instruct was spared upon the boy by Mr. Hayley. He was determined, he said, not to send him to a private school, and consequently masters were engaged to teach all sorts of rudimental knowledge at home. He had his pony, too, and a groom was generally ready to go out with him ”

“ If I remember rightly, when we met at your camp on the Osage, you expressed a desire to get Captain Hayward in your power. You have him, now."
"I did not know the man then. He was my enemy, but I can scarcely be an enemy to so brave a man. It is true I have much cause. You came to my camp in disguise, you deceived my orderly and obtained possession of important papers, you placed my scouts in the guard-house for your own safety; you visited and conversed with my officers, gaining all the intelligence you desired ”

“ But the incident was not without a certain subtle effect upon the celebration, and at one o'clock Hayward sat alone with his face buried in his hands, a dainty handkerchief spread out before him, and beside it was the rapidly sketched outline of a face which he had just completed.
He knew now why the action of Jennings had made him so furious. The shaft of light from a woman's eyes, which once strikes deep into the soul of every man, had at last come home to him.
The "opening" was auspicious. Wealth and art alike were well represented. ”

“ He will be fastened. You must feed him daily, just enough to keep life in him. I will give you a hundred to start upon—more money than you ever saw, old woman, and when I return, if you have well done your duty as keeper, I will give you another hundred. Will you be faithful and keep the prisoner in safety from rescue?”
“I swear it by my magic art!”
“Bah! blast your art! Swear it by the gold you will receive, and I’ll believe you. But come!”
Green reëntered the mill followed by old Madge. He seized the helpless Hayward and bore him to an upper loft. ”

“ It is our notes of victory. Do you not love those sounds?"
"They become only such as you. The most barbarous savage would scorn to exult thus over a single fallen foe!" said Alibamo, her eyes flashing with indignation.
"Oh! taunt! I love to hear it. It makes my hatred for your captain deeper. And for every word of insult you have spoken, or do speak to me, I'll revenge myself on him. And you shall see it all. See, he moves—he opens his eyes! Let him gaze around."
"Harry! Harry!" called Hayward in a faint voice. ”

“ They were ascending the hill, upon the summit of which was a thick wood, when Hayward said:
"Do you see those lines of infantry just within that grove. They are rebel soldiers; it is the guard necessary at the execution of one man! Branch, don't you fear that these two half-fainting women will rescue me?"
"They might do it—they are the only ones who can!" replied Branch.
The cart had passed the wood through a line of soldiers formed on either side, and reaching the Fair-Ground, it was driven within the enclosure, and halted near the scaffold. ”

“ Miss Hayward gazed a moment upon the structure, and then burst forth in the same wild strain she had sung so frequently during her boat voyage.
“It is folly for you to attempt to attract his notice by your voice. He is a close prisoner and a maniac, and nothing but your constant presence and attention will ever cause his reason to return!” ”

“ The army took up its line of march. Hayward was transported as before, and at each night was kindly cared for by Alibamo and the other attendant, who still were permitted to remain with him. At last they reached the grand prairie, west of Springfield, and encamped for the night.
"Is Captain Hayward sufficiently recovered to converse?" asked Price of Branch.
"Oh! yes; he is rapidly recovering. His wound is not so serious as at first supposed. It is true he is quite weak from loss of blood, but still strong enough to be dangerous. ”

“ Philip wondered what it was that made people do things which were so contrary to all their theories of life. It would have been reasonable for Hayward to stand aside and watch with a smile while the barbarians slaughtered one another. It looked as though men were puppets in the hands of an unknown force, which drove them to do this and that; and sometimes they used their reason to justify their actions; and when this was impossible they did the actions in despite of reason.
"People are very extraordinary," said Philip. "I should never have expected you to go out as a trooper." ”

“ I am convinced, Yorick, continued my father, half reading and half discoursing, that there is a North-west passage to the intellectual world; and that the soul of man has shorter ways of going to work, in furnishing itself with knowledge and instruction, than we generally take with it.——But, alack! all fields have not a river or a spring running besides them;—every child, Yorick, has not a parent to point it out. ”

“ From there it is left to the captain to make further arrangements."
Hayward had started to his feet, and his eyes met those of Branch. There was lightning in that gaze, but it was met with equal sternness.
"Do you object to Captain Branch?" asked Price.
"Yes. I object to anyone who is so great a coward as to strike a wounded, senseless man, merely to revenge himself upon a woman!"
"What do you mean?" asked Price.
"I will tell you. This woman prisoner hates Branch, and I do not wonder. She taunts him, and what woman of spirit would not? ”

“ Hayward, what shall I say that you may see him as I do, looking back, and not too clearly, through the fast-gathering years of a long life? A man of talent and ambition, and every way kindly, he yet lost something each day in comparison with her. This not strange, for the pliant reed, bending before the sweeping torrent, recovers its poise unhurt, while the stouter plant, struggling against the swift-running stream, is uprooted or broken in the effort. ”

“ In a short time an ambulance was overtaken, and Branch said:
"Place Hayward in that ambulance. If he is carried on horseback, he will die, and I shall lose my revenge!"
"Let me handle the darn skunk!" said one of the party, as he advanced through the crowd. "I'm used to handlin' just such darned skunks as he is!"
"Be careful!" said Branch, as this peculiar looking object lifted Hayward from the horse.
"Oh! guess there's no occasion to be too careful. Such dam skunks as him ain't so easy killed."
Hayward was placed in the ambulance.
"Who will volunteer to remain with him?" asked Branch. ”