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perienced as put your faith in "testimonials?" You will not even send to the library to borrow (much less buy) the book, which a page of advertised opinions of the press " assures you is the most splendid work of the day, thrilling in incident, profound in thought, brilliant in style, replete with humour and pathos, and with every other quality which a book could have. You are deaf to these trumpets. You order a book of which none of these things are said about which there is no flourish whatever. And you are wise. But why does this wisdom desert you when a Pill or a Lotion is placarded on the walls, or arrests

your attention in the advertising columns? Is it of more consequence that you should yawn over a trashy book, which you have seen praised as a chef d'œuvre, than that you should ruin your health because a charlatan praises his medicaments?

We conclude with an anecdote : A friend of ours, long a victim to dyspepsia, was earnestly recommended to try a "digestive powder" which promised to restore any amount of lost "vigour." The recommendation came from one who had great confidence in the powder, because he knew that the advertiser made a very good living out of it.

CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK'S CHAMPAGNE.

A WEST INDIAN REMINISCENCE.

CONCLUSION.-CHAPTER XV.

Ir is necessary now that we take note of Mr Chitty's movements. After descending from the messroom, and after doing all that was in his heart as regarded the consumption and purloining of viands, Menelaus bethought him of that expression used by Tom Gervaise during dinner, which had unpleasantly affected his nerves, and which still, whenever he thought of it, caused an unaccountable misgiving. The fact was, that Nick's mind had been for some days much unsettled —i -indeed, since Brune's appearance at Crystal Mount. That appearance Nick conceived to bode no good to Christy's family arrangements; it was, moreover, associated with the pang arising out of a suspected understanding between Leander and Rosabella; so that, altogether, it excited a disagreeable foreboding, which various small incidents appreciable to Chitty's keen perception had augmented. Wine and feasting, as is generally the case in rancorous minds, far from dissipat

ing, only intensified his apprehensions. He could extract no definite suspicion from the meagre evidence, and felt the need of counsel and confidence. How to get these was the question. To call Christy from the festive board to listen to a cockand-bull story (as this would be, even when lavishly embellished with lies), would have no effect save to bring down anathemas on his head as an old idiot: to call on Melhado would bring blows in addition to abuse. In this dilemma he betook himself to a keener wit than either of theirs, and as soon as he could eat and drink no more, and had bestowed his movable plunder, he started off through the bush to Kingston, and stopped not till he arrived at the door of Melhado's house, where he craved an audience with that gentleman's mother.

The old lady was at that time seated on a rocking-chair in her saloon, which was lit by a number of wax-lights under brilliant

glass shades. Her spectacles were on, and the Rev. Laurence Sterne's Sentimental Journey lay open before her; for she was a wilful old dame, and not to be deprived of the enjoyment of real wit and sentiment by nonsensical squeamishness. Show her any of your correct moderns who could write like him, and she would think your prejudice entitled to attention; but you knew very well you couldn't.

A young negress with a red handkerchief on her head, and wearing one solitary garment, the name of which we are not at liberty to communicate, but whose material was osnaburgh, brandished a flapper, with which she chased the mosquitoes from her "Missy," and controlled the frolics of moths, bats, crickets, fiddlers, cockroaches, and a host of winged insects which made a disagreeable humming and buzzing, and were continually dashing themselves against the glass shades in attempts to get at the lights: occasionally they took headers against the old lady's eyes and cheeks. As is the case with many strongminded persons, Mrs Melhado was not gifted with extreme patience; and whenever a crawley-bob succeeded in charging her, she sharply chid her attendant. Sometimes she aimed a vicious blow, which the small obscurity generally evaded. The subtle plotter, who never ceased to keep a watch upon Brune, knew of his visits to Crystal Mount, and of the rescue at the Ferry. She felt sure that these things had a great significance, and was much disturbed in consequence, so that the child was experiencing a crosser time than usual.

"Bunchy, you little aggravating toad," said Mrs Melhado, "what did I tell you?"

"Missy say she mash for me wortless head de nex one dat touch she!"

"I did; and now come here: one

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Very well, I must fetch you, then," said the old gentlewoman, preparing to rise; whereupon Bunchy raised the most dreadful squealing, and set her back and the palms of her hands against the wall, while she rapidly struck the floor with her alternate naked feet. On a sudden the squealing and dancing ceased, the head was raised attentively, and the small voice said—

66

Hei, Missy! somebody comin' dis side; make I go see who dere." And Bunchy glided like a dark arrow from the presence of her mistress, to reappear in an instant, and announce that Mr Chitty was without, desiring to speak with her on "impartant bisnis."

"Now then, Nick, what brings you here at this time of night? I thought you were at camp with your master," said Mrs Melhado, sharply, as Mr Chitty entered and made his obeisance.

66

He explained that he had been at camp through the dinner, which en passant he characterised as a "'plendid ting of de kind, an' werry elegant in de legs of beef and custards;" that he had heard several dark hints which he understood to bode no good to either Miss Wiley or to nyoung massa; that he had considered the propriety of calling the attention of Mr Arabin or Mr Melhado to his suspicions, but in his discretion, under the circumstances of meat and drink, he had refrained from consulting those gentlemen, and thought it his duty to consult Mrs Melhado.

*The reader who has not visited the tropics will reflect that, where windows and doors are open, and every breath of air is invited to enter, candles must speedily be blown out if not protected.

"Right, Nick," said the old lady; "you've got some gumption. I don't think either of them would have listened to your story if you had gone to them. Tell me, now, what was said, and I shall know if it signifies."

66 "You see, Missy," said Nick, "dem drink in de wine faba 'ponges. Where dem put it all, me can't rightly say: tink dem mus be holler inside, de same as de rum puncheon. De more dem swaller, de more room dem seem to got. Dat ole Cap'n Gerbaise an' Massa Shane find at las' dat dem not able for drink fas' enough out of de long glass, and dey ax for tumbler. Den it go down more faster dan a water-'pout. Couldn't sarve dem fas' enough."

“But get on, Nick," interrupted the old lady. "I want to know what was said."

Mr Chitty, being well corned, was unusually loquacious, and not very clear. His perspicuity was further impaired by the conduct of small Bunchy, who, clambering noiselessly on to a writing-table behind her Missy's back, executed a series of dumb-shows of an insubordinate and contemptuous character. The gleeful spirit of healthy childhood-Heaven's gift to white and black, to bond and free-broke forth, regardless of the risk of detection and of sharp vengeance. There stood the little imp mowing and grimacing, and mimicking the old lady, at every turn of whose head she flitted to the floor in silence, like the shadow of a bird, and then mounted and began again. Had Mr Chitty been alone with the child, he most assuredly would have inflicted condign chastisement for such liberties taken in his august presence; but the freemasonry of race deterred him from betraying her to the white lady.

Spite of his difficulties, Menelaus began again: "Missy mus' hab de goodness to wait lilly bit: me is talking as fas' as me can-me can't talk no faster. Well, you see, dem

mus' hab someting running in for dem troats, and when the wine no run down, de talkee run out. De noise dem make, my! and de wine it make dem more wiciouser dan mules, and dem swear an' holler; mus a mad. Den Massa Shane begin to cuss* nyoung Massa Manuel, and say he wish him head mash, an’ Miss Wiley too good for him. Him say so, Missy, but him don't 'peak de trut'. Me allis say dat Massa Manuel de biggest buckrah gentleman in de place. Me allis 'tand up for massa when dem cuss him. Me say all time

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"Do get on, Nick; what did they

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"Ax for you pardon, Missy. Me is not de soart of pusson to weaste time in talk. Ebberybody know dat Nick Chitty one berry silent - berry circumspec: him see good many ting dat him not tell nobody, 'ceptin' to dose dat it consarn. Now, if Missy will please to listen, me will tell de 'tory in berry few words."

Nick then went back to the beginning. Mrs Melhado perceived that her only plan was to let him have his way; so she set herself resolutely, though not very patiently, to listen. The moment her attention became fixed, Bunchy's eccentricities assumed a more daring character. The small body, without creating a sound, writhed and gesticulated not altogether ungracefully. Standing on alternate feet, she kicked, or made believe to spring, at the old lady; or she threw herself into attitudes of mock defiance and scorn: then, flourishing her little weapon like a sword, she made sweeps and passes with it through the air, and finally delivered cut No. 7 towards Mrs Melhado's crown, as if the little hand and arm had belonged to Shaw, and the flapper had been the sabre of that redoubted life-guardsman. Mr Chitty contained himself admirably, and in due time picked up the thread of his discourse. Then he proceeded

* To curse often signifies no more than to abuse.

"Massa Pat Shane, him cuss nyoung massa, and say him no good enough for Miss Wiley; and ole Cap'n Gerbaise him say, Look out, boy, to-night; him will be sarve a trick dat he little tink of before de morning.' Den dem cock deir yeye, and nod deir head, an' tink all right."

"It may be only some nonsense, after all," said Mrs Melhado ; "was there nothing more?"

"No nonsense, Missy, no nonsense," said Nick, eagerly. "You tink ole Nick no sabey when dem goin' to do de real wickedness? Me know dem not makin' fun."

The old lady mused: "Perhaps you are right," said she. "I think that this matter, though it may mean nothing at all, should be looked to. Take a mule from the stable, and go up, now, with all speed, to Crystal Mount. Don't go to bed, but observe all that is going on in the premises. If you see the least cause for alarm, send down for your master at once-your master, mind it won't be sufficient to acquaint Mrs Arabin. I have never felt easy since you told me of Mr Brune being up there lately. Here, take this I always requite useful service. And now, be off!'

Having dismissed Nick Chitty, the old lady was much disquieted, and paced the room hurriedly, quite forgetting little Bunchy, who, squatting in a gloomy corner, did not even roll her eyes, lest the motion should attract attention, and the adjourned ceremony of fum-fum be consummated. Her mistress was, however, occupied with far other thoughts. Though she had been interrupted, and had inserted her spectacles at that pathetic page in the Sentimental Journey where the fair and gushing Rambouliet temporarily retires from the scene, she did not resume her reading. She reflected with extreme anxiety that the success or failure of her plan might depend on the discretion and fidelity of Mr Nicholas Chitty. Mrs

Melhado was too shrewd not to know the spite with which fate regards such compacts as her treaty with Christy Arabin. Smooth as everything looked, a false move, or an accident, or a counter-stroke, might upset the scheme. Ready and strong-willed herself, she recognised instinctively the same qualities in Brune, and felt an undefinable dread of him, such as she was accustomed to inspire in others. Scarcely knowing the young man by sight, she had learned his character and acknowledged its force. She did not dare to reckon on success till all should be accomplished; and she was haunted by a presentiment of mischance, which her selfcommand barely enabled her to conceal.

She slept not that night.

Mr Chitty emerged from Melhado's house with spirits much lightened by the largesse which his tidings had obtained, and by the prospect of occasioning a little disappointment and misery ere long.

In the stable he found a spur, which he girded to one of his heels, and soon placed in close communication with the flank of his mule; the spurring of whom, mingled with administrations of supplejack,* quite stayed his appetite for mischief, and caused him to gallop along pleasantly, and to think calmly over what he had to do. He soon decided that, in case of summoning old Christy home, he must employ a messenger in whom he could place some confidence. Now Leander Mr Chitty at once rejected in his mind. "Him no good, him. wortless," thought he, and passed on to the consideration of other servants, among whom he found it difficult to make a satisfactory selection. For Nick was aware that, on the knowledge of Big Massa being out for a jovial night, and of many neighbouring Massas being similarly engaged, a great Obeah ceremonial had been arranged on the estate, and that the adorers of

* A tough withe, used as a whip.

Mumbo Jumbo were expected to attend in large numbers from the whole neighbourhood. If, therefore, he could succeed in finding a messenger, he could by no means depend on the message being carried quickly, or at all. After revolving then all available emissaries, as we see the Cardinal Duke de Richelieu do in Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton's play, he, with the prompt decision of that minister, fixed on our friend Domingo, whom he had used on former occasions, and whose loyalty and zeal he thought he might be sure of for the nonce. Accordingly he pulled up the panting mule at Domingo's hut, and desired him on no account to go abroad that night, as there might be work for him which would bring a rich reward. He likewise promised a particular intercession with the Obeah sage on Domingo's behalf; and this promise seemed warranted by the intimacy and consideration which he enjoyed with that distinguished person. Large numbers of the people, both male and female, were already about the fields and paths, but it was too early for any of the Obeah rites.

Mr Chitty's own mind on the subject of Obeah could not be described as one and indivisible, for he wandered sometimes into extremes of superstition and of scepticism, and traversed all degrees between those states. By night, and in times of difficulty or affliction, his faith was more or less lively; but prosperity and daylight shook his affiance-yea, even to scoffing and reviling. He had on more than one occasion so far forgotten himself as to use very strong, contemptuous, and bad language touching the solemn meeting which was now assembling; and that notwithstanding his interest with the Obeah man, and his expectation of assistance from that source in his suit to Rosabella. The recollection of this profaneness crossed his mind as he saw his singlehearted brethren collecting; and

the magnitude of the power which he had provoked, and the dire results which might follow, smote his craven conscience with staggering force. What if the Obeah man, while seemingly bland and respectful, had secret notice of his calumnies and impiety! What if the caution given him to beware of another professor was simply a mode of communicating a coming doom which he felt that he so justly deserved! As these thoughts gained strength Nick was getting on to a dark and legendary part of the road, where his heart stood still with terror. It is not recorded that his hair stood on end on this or any other occasion, but there were symptoms sufficient to confirm the fact of his pot-valiant bluster being thoroughly subdued, and of his mind being in such a nervous and superstitious condition as to account for the scene which soon followed. He tried to feel plucky on emerging into a more open road, faltered an oath or so, and essayed to whistle, but produced only a tremulous asthmatic hissing which must rather have amused the spirits whom he was braving. A little more light was unquestionably a relief though, and a pull at his rum flask was not without a reactionary effect. Helped by these stimuli, Nick contrived to get off the mule's saddle and bridle, and to turn him into a piece of guinea-grass as soon as he got home. Then he took his measures for observation and concealment. Two or three times he thought he heard footsteps behind, but persuaded himself that it was fancy. The moon was not up, but it was far from dark; and after reconnoitring the house and premises, he selected for his post a small building consisting of two rooms, one over the other; the upper being a gay little pavilion, commanding a fine view, and the lower a homely garden-house, to whose height the building was screened by shrubs, except that the doorway was clear, and had a good view of two sides of the dwelling-house, and of

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