The dark secret

Contents

JHAPTER PA«E

I. The Mermaid 5

II. The Lone House 20

Chapter I. The Mermaid

** Whoe'er has travel'd life's dull round, Where'er his stages may have been, May sigh to think he still has found His warmest welcome at an inn."

Shenstone.

The time — late in the evening of a raw April day, many a year, most probably, before you were born, my dear sir or madam. The scene a long bleak stripe of coast on the Jersey shore, washed by the bright waters of the flowing Hudson.

A low, black, rakish-looking schooner, with a sort of suspicious look about it, strikingly suggestive to nautical individuals skilled in reading the expressive countenances of schooners in general, had just come to anchor out in the river, a short distance from the shore ; and a boat, a few minutes after, had put off from her, and landed two persons, who sprung lightly out ; while two more, who had rowed them, leaned on their dripping oars, and waited, as if for further directions.

" You can go back, now. I don't want you to wait for me. I'll stop at the Mermaid to-night. If I want you, you know the signal ; and tell Sharp Bill to keep an uncommon sharp look-out. Come, my little Spanish Jockey o' Norfolk ; put your best leg foremost, hoist all sail, and let's bear down on that full-blown craft, Bob Rowlie, of the Mermaid inn."

The speaker gave his companion a blow on the back, at this passage in his discourse, that sent him reeling, as

TH^: DARK SECRET.

well it might ; and then, with a coarse laugh, sprung, with more agility than might have been expected from his looks, over the wet, shingly, slippery beach, toward the high-road.

He was a man of some forty-five or fifty years of age, short, brawny and muscular, though not stout, with an extremely large head, set on an extremely short neck, which made up in thickness what it wanted in length. A complexion like unvarnished mahogany, with a low, retreating forehead ; a pair of sharp, keen, glittering, hawk-like eyes, gleaming from under thick, scowling brows ; a grim, resolute mouth, expressive of the most unflinching do-or-die determination, made up a face that would hardly be associated, in female minds, with the idea of love at first sight. This elegant frontispiece was rendered still further attractive by a perfect forest of underbrush and red hair generally ; indeed, there was more hair about his countenance than there seemed any real necessity for; and his tarpaulin hat crowned a head adorned with a violent mat of hair of the same striking color. The gentleman was dressed in an easy, off-hand style, that completely set at defiance all established civilized modes, with nothing about him, save his sailor's hat, to betoken he was a seaman. Yet such he was, and a captain, too: Captain Mcholas Tempest, commander of the Fly-by-Mght, at your service, reader.

A greater contrast to the gentleman just described than his companion, could hardly have been found, search the wide world over. He was a slender lad, of not more than sixteen or seventeen apparently, with a face that would have been feminine in its exquisite beauty, but for the extreme darkness of the complexion. Every feature was perfect, as faultlessly chiseled as if modeled after some antique statue. His eyes were large, black and lustrous as diamonds ; his short, crisp, curling hair, of jetty blackness ; while his complexion was darker than that of a Creole. His form was slight, graceful and elegant ; his dress odd, picturesque, and foreign-looking, and strikingly becoming to the dark, rich style of his beauty. A crimson sash was knotted carelessly round his waist ; and a cap of the same color, with a gold band and tassel.

the: mermaid.

and a single black plume, was set jauntily on his dark curls, and gave him altogether the look of a handsome little brigand, just dressed for the stage.

The burly commander of the Fly-by-Night sprung fleetly up the rocks, followed by the boy, until they left the beach, and struck out on the straggling, unfrequented, lonely-looking road, with only one house in sight, as far as the eye could reach, and that one a Ioav, dingy -looking place, with a black, smoky chimney leaning pensively to one side, and two vacant-eyed windows, that stared straight before them with an idiotic, helpless-looking gape, and a melancholy old door, that creaked and moaned dismally whenever it was touched. Over this door was a flapping sign, with an uncomfortable- looking female painted on it, who held a comb in one hand, and a small pocket mirror in the other, into which she was gazing with an expression of the most violent astonishment, evidently lost in wonder as to how on earth she had ever got there — as she very well might, indeed ; for it was an uncomfortable, not to say distressing, place for anybody to be, much less a mermaid. A striking trait about this lady was, that after beginning like any other reasonable Christian, she suddenly and impetuously, and without the smallest provocation, saw fit to branch off into a startling tail, which turned up so that the tip stood on a level with her head, and left her precisely in the shape of the letter U. Under this extraordinary female was painted, in glaring, yellow capitals, " The Mermaid " ; and there was a popular legend extant, to the effect that the picture above was a striking likeness of one of those fishy individuals that had been captured by a former proprietor of the inn, while she was combing her sea-green tresses down on the shore. For the truth of the narrative I am not, however, prepared to vouch in this authentic story, as I have only popular tradition for it.

Toward this inviting-looking dwelling, our two " solitary travelers" were betaking themselves, at a leisurely pace, each seemingly absorbed in his own thoughts. Captain Nicholas Tempest, having insinuated about half a yard of twisted tobacco into his mouth, was discharging right and left, with that benign expression of countenance

THE DARK SECRET.

men always wear when chewing the weed ; and with both hands thrust in his trousers pockets, he marched along with an independent swagger, that said, as plainly as words : " I'm Captain Mck Tempest, sir, and I don't care a curse for any man ! " His handsome companion kept by his side, stepping carefully to avoid the mud, lest it should sully the shining brightness of his Spanish leather boots, and smiling slightly as he caught the contemptuous glances Captain Tempest cast toward him, as he observed the action. And thus, one chewing tobacco and plowing his way straightforwardly along, in free and easy scorn of mud and dirt, and the other stepping daintily, and springing over holes and puddles, they marched along in silence for a season.

Captain Mcholas Tempest, transferring his quid, with an adroit roll of the tongue that bespoke long and accomplished practice, to the other cheek, and having discharged a startling fire of tobacco- juice, gave his pantaloons a hoist and glancing toward his companion, at length lifted up his voice and spoke.

" Well, my little shaver, you've got to America, at last, you see, all safe in wind and limb ; though, by George, we did come pretty near going to Davy's locker once or twice during the passage. And now what do you think of it, eh ? Hardly equal to the * vine-clad hills of sunny Spain,' you see, my lad. Rather a dreary and desolate prospect, just at present, ain't it ? "

" Yes, somewhat so," said the lad, as he measured intently with his eye a pool of water in his path, and then leaped lightly over it. His voice was soft and musical in the extreme, and was rendered still more so by his foreign accent, though he spoke in excellent English.

" And now that you've got here. Master Jacinto, what do you mean to do with yourself, if it's a fair question ? "

"Perfectly fair, Captain Tempest. I mean to take excellent care of myself," said the lad, carelessly.

" Humph ! you do — do you ? Boys have queer notions about taking care of themselves. I suppose your next move will be for New York city."

" That depends."

Depends on what ? '*

THH MERMAID.

Well, on a good many things generally, and on one thing in particular."

"And what is that one thing? Don't be so cursed secretive, you little jackanape! I tell you what, my young cove, you had better keep on the right side of me ; for it will be the tallest feather in your cap, if you have the friendship of Captain Mck Tempest. Mind that ! "

"I am much obliged to Captain Mck Tempest, and would not offend him for any earthly consideration," said the young Spaniard, in a tone of provoking indifference, as he tightened his sash : " but, at the same time, he must allow me to decline making him my confidant^ more especially as it is totally out of his power to aid me in the slightest degree."

Captain Nick Tempest came to a sudden halt, and with his hands still in his pockets, faced round in the middle of the road, his swarthy face flushed, and his brows contracting with rising anger ; but, as his eyes fell on the slight, boyish form of the other, he checked himself, and said, in a tone of withering scorn, as he moved on :

" Why, what an independent young gentleman we have here, so self-conscious and wise that he declines all help, and is going to begin life in a land he never set foot in before, on the principal of letting every tub stand on its own bottom. If you were a dozen years older, I would twist your neck for you, for your insolence. A Spaniard more or less is no great loss in the world ; and I have settled the hash of many a better man than you will ever be for less than that ! "

" I have not the slightest doubt of it, sir," said the lad, with so ready an acquiescence as to sound like flattery, while a slight and almost imperceptible smile broke for an instant over his handsome face.

" Oh, you hav'n't ! " growled Captain Mck, slightly mollified. " Well then, let me give you a piece of friendly advice : don't attempt to provoke Captain Tempest. You had a passage over in my bark, and we've broken bread together, and been good friends all along, and I don't know but what I kinder liked you : but still I tell you, as a friend, don't provoke me. Master Jacinto."

"Really, Captain Tempest, I had no intention of offending you, and regret exceedingly having done so," said tiie youth, bowing deprecatingly ; " but the fact is, I could not, if I would, tell you my plans ; for I do not know myself, having formed none as yet. Most likely I shall do as I have always done — trust to luck, and let to-morrow take care of itself."

" A mighty profitable maxim, and a beautiful way of passing through life," said the captain, with a sneer. " Trust to luck, indeed, the slippery jade ! No, sir, I wouldn't trust her the length of my nose, and that's none of the longest either."

" Providence, then, if you like that better. Don't you trust in Providence ? " said the boy.

u Providence ! " said Captain Mck, jerking out his tobacco, with a look of utter contempt. " Paugh ! don't make me sick. I think I see myself trusting in Providence ! 'No, sir. Since I was knee-high to a duck, I've put my trust in something that has never deceived me yet, and never will while one timber of this queer craft of a world hangs together ; and I'd advise you, my little Spanish friend, to do the same."

"Indeed! perhaps I may. What is this wonderful sheet-anchor called ? '

"Captain Mck Tempest, sir," said that individual, drawing himself up, and fixing his flashing eyes on his companion's face. " I've trusted in him, sir and I'll back him against luck and Providence, and all the other sheetanchors in the world. Luck ! ugh ! " said the captain, with a look of disgust, as he let fly a last volley of tobaccojuice.

The boy would have smiled, but there was a warning gleam in the fierce eyes of the captain that forbade it ; so he said nothing, and again they walked on for a short distance in silence, and sulkiness on the part of the gallant commander of the Fly-by-Mght.

" Is that the inn we are to stop at ? " at length inquired the boy, Jacinto.

" Yes," said the captain with a sullen growl, " that's the inn I'm to stop at. I don't know anything about yours ; and what's more, I don't care. You may go where you please."

THE MERMAID.

II

Again that slight and seemingly irrepressible smile flickered for a moment round the lad's handsome mouth ; but it was gone directly, and he was standing with his hand in the captain's arm, and his dark, bright eyes fixed on his gruff, surly face, saying, in his soft, musical accents :

« Come, Captain Tempest, forget and forgive ; it is hardly worth your while to be angry with me. We have been good friends since the day we left merry England until this ; and as there is no telling how soon we may part now, it will never do to quarrel at the last moment."

" Quarrel ! " said Captain Nick, contemptuously. " Quarrel with a little pinch of down like you ! Why, I'd as soon quarrel with a woman! Not much fear of you and I quarreling, my young shaver ! "

"Well, let us be friends then, as we were before. Come, captain, shake hands on it — if I spoke impertinently that time, I am sorry for it. Will that do ? "

He held out his hand — a small, fair, delicate hand, that no lady need have been ashamed of — and looked up, with a pleading face that was quite irresistible, in the gruff captain's face. Captain Nick, with a stifled growl, took the boy's hand in his own huge digit, and gave it a crushing shake.

" There ! don't come it over me with your soft- sawder, Master Jacinto, if you please," he said, as if half-angry with himself for the liking he could not help feeling for the handsome boy. " You've got a sweet tongue of your owTi : and though it can sting pretty sharply at times, you are always ready to plaster the wound over again with some of that same honeyed-balsam. You see, you can't take me in, my lad. You'll have to cut a few more of your eye-teeth before you can manage that. Here we are at the Mermaid, and there she swings herself, the same picture of ugliness she has always been since I first had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Wonder if old Rowlie has thought proper to die of apoplexy yet ! "

As he spoke, he passed through the low doorway, and entered the house, closely followed by Jacinto. The door opened straight into the bar-room — a low, dirty, smoket)egrimecl place, with a strong od,or of ardent spirits aiid

THE DARK SECRET.

sawdust pervading it. Numerous casks were ranged round the walls ; and on the shelves behind the counter were arrayed bottles, decanters and glasses, and all the other paraphernalia common in such places. Leaning over the counter, with his back to the door and busily engaged in turning over the greasy leaves of a dirty little account-book, was a fat, round-about little man, with a rosy face, indicative of an unlimited amount of solemn good-nature.

" I say, old Bob Rowlie ! what cheer, my hearty ? " called Captain Nick, giving the little man a slap in the back that nearly knocked him into a jelly. " Alive and kicking yet, I see ! What a precious long time the old boy is of claiming his own, to be sure ! "

" Captain Nick Tempest," said the little man, slowly, as he laid down his pencil and book, and looked solemnly in the face of his boisterous guest, " and so you've come back again, have you ? I might have known it was you, for nobody ever knocks the breath out of my body till you come. Who is this ? " said Mr. Rowlie, looking with his slow, grave gaze toward the young Spaniard, who was leaning carelessly against the door-post.

" Oh, a customer I've brought you — a young chap from beyond the seas," said the captain, flinging himself into a chair; "come in, Jacinto, and make yourself at home. How's the old woman. Bob ? "

"Mrs. Rowlie is per-fec'-ly well," slowly articulated Mr. Rowlie, taking a prolonged look at Jacinto, "per-fec'- ly well, thanky . Is the men coming up to-night ? "

" Not to-night. I'm going to swing my hammock here myself to-night. How's trade these times, old buffer? Many customers at the Mermaid ? "

"Ye-es," said Mr, Rowlie, deliberately, "ye-es, sometimes there is ; and then, again, sometimes there ain't. Vessels principally bring customers, but they don't stay long, mostly the reverse. Generally, it's quiet here. Uncommon so."

" Well, it's likely to be brisk enough while I stay ; my men are the very dickens for spending their money. And now, my fat friend, just let me have something to eat ^wiU you ? T feel hungry ^BQugh to eat youT^filii ^^M^^ tnU MKRMAID.

and all, if you were properly stuffed and roasted. Come, hurry up I "

By way of complying with this request, Mr. Rowlie waddled leisurely to a door at the other end of the room, and opening it, he called, in a husky falsetto : " Mrs. Rowlie-e-e ! "

" What do you want ? " called a brisk voice from within, as a merry-looking little woman, like her husband, somewhat of the dumpling order, came to the door, and peeped out.

" Captain Nick Tempest has arrived, and wants some food."

" Oh, marcy sake ! Captain, how d'ye do ? " said Mrs. Rowlie, bustling out, and holding out her hand to the burly captain. " Hoav unexpected people keep a-turning up ! I'm railly glad to see you. I railly am, now."

" Thankee, Mrs. Rowlie — thankee ! " said the captain, as he sprung up, and gave the buxom dame a rousing salute on the cheek, while Mr Rowlie looked on in solemn dismay, " and how do you find yourself, old lady ? Blooming like a hollyhock, as usual ? "

" Lor' captain, behave yourself, can't ye ? " said Mrs. Rowlie, jerking herself away, and wiping the offended cheek with her check apron : " please goodness, you've no more manners nor a pig. Hey ! who's this ? Lor' bless me ! where did this uncommon handsome young gentleman come from ? " she exclaimed, suddenly, catching sight of Jacinto, who was still leaning carelessly against the door.

The boy doffed his cap and bowed with a smile to the old lady, who gazed at him with unconcealed admiration.

" From Spain, Dame Quickly, if you ever heard of such a place," said the captain. " But never mind his beauty now, while there is more important matters to attend to. Do you know I've had nothing to eat since early noon, and now it's almost night ? Come, be spry I I hear something fizzling in there, and, if my nasal organ does not deceive me, something good, too. What is it."

" Stewed rabbit," said the old lady, whisking the dust off a chair with her apron, and bringing it over to Jacinto. «'Do sit down, sir, and make yourself comfortable. Yes,

14 I'HE BARK SBCRB'f. .

Captain Nick, yes ; everything will be ready directly. Lor' bless me ! how excessive handsome that young gent is, to be sure ! " said Mrs. Rowlie, sotto voce, as she hurried into the inner room.

" Yes, that's womankind, all over," said Captain Tempest, bitterly. " Let them see a handsome face, and old loves and old friendships are alike forgotten. Curse them all I every mother's daughter of them, I say ! Old and young, rich and poor, they are all alike. Even this old fool, now, the moment she sees the handsome face of this young Spaniard, she is ready to forget and neglect me — me who has done more for her than he ever will or can do in his life. And these are the things that men love — that men every day stoop to love, and make fools of themselves for. Talk of cherishing vipers — there never was born a woman yet who would not be a viper if she had it in her power ! "

It was evidently some inward feeling, in which good little Mrs. Rowlie had no share, that sent Captain Nick Tempest so excitedly from his seat, and caused him to pace with such an angry, ringing tread up and down the little room, his face full of such furious, repressed passion. Mr. Rowlie gazed at him, for a moment, in stolid surprise, and then busied himself in filling a black, stumpy pipe with tobacco ; and Jacinto, sitting toying with a little, gray kitten, cast furtive glances at him from under his long eyelashes.

" Smoke ? " said Mr. Rowlie, sententiously, holding out the black, stumpy pipe to Jacinto.

" No, thank you ; I never do," said the boy, with a half-laugh, as he declined the civility.

Mr. Rowlie said nothing, but immediately clapped it in his own mouth, and was soon puffing away until he could be just faintly observed, looming up dimly through a cloud of smoke.

" Come, captain," called the voice of Mrs. Rowlie, at this juncture ; " come, young gentleman — I don't know your name," she said, to him, apologetically, as he followed the captain into the inner room, " or I'd call you it, I'm sure."

" I wouldn't advise you to try it, if you have any ro-

THE MERMAID.

gard for your teeth," said Captain Nick. " Call him Mr. Jacinto, if you like. I forget his second name, now ; but it's a stunner, and would knock you over stiff as a mackerel if you attempted to say it. Draw in, my young hearty. One word's as good as ten — cut away. Amen. There's a grace ! Now fall to."

And, following precept by example, Captain Tempest immediately " fell to," with an appetite six hours old, and sharpened by the sea-breeze to a terrifying extent. Jacinto partook lightly of Mrs. Rowlie's dainties, and looked on between laughter and dismay, as she heaped up his plate for him.

" I say, old woman," said Captain Nick, when business in the supper department began to slacken a little, "when did you see that old witch of Hades — Grizzle Howlet?"

" Let me see," said Mrs. Rowlie, leaning meditatively on her broom. " She hain't been here, I don't believe, since the night you left. No, she ain't — not since then."

" Humph ! " said the captain, thoughtfully as he resumed his knife and fork, but in a far different manner than before.

At this moment a sudden bustle in the bar arrested their attention ; a sharp, harsh voice was heard, addressing some question to Mr. Rowlie — evidently the voice of a woman. Mrs. Rowlie looked at the captain and uttered an ejaculation, and that worthy mariner dropped his knife and fork, pushed back his chair, and half arose.

" Marcy sakes ! " exclaimed the little woman. " Did you ever? Why, I do declare! if that ain't her own blessed self ! "

" Her own blessed self ! " said the captain, in an undertone, and with a grim smile. " Her own cursed self, you mean — the old hag ! How did she know I was here ? I believe there's something of the vulture in that old beldame, and that she scents her prey afar off. By the pricking of my thumbs, some one wicked this way comes ! Is here ! " he cried as the door opened, and the object of his eulogium stood bolt upright before them.

Jacinto turned, in some curiosity to look at the newcpmer, and saw what looked like an old woman, bui;

i6

THK DARK SECRET.

ought to have been a man, if judged by size. Extremely tall, she towered up in the apartment as straight as a cedar of Lebanon, and fully a head over Captain Nick Tempest. She was dressed in gray — all gray, from head to foot. A coarse gray dress, a gray woolen cloak, with a gray hood tied under her chin, and might have passed for a capuchin friar, or a "Monk of the Order Gray," only no holy monk, or friar, ever wore such a hard, bitter, evil, unpi*^ ing face, such a stern, remorseless mouth, and such a stony, dead, unfeeliag eye, as that woman wore. Upright in the door she stood, and scanned Captain Tempest, with folded arms, for full five minutes.

"Well, Grizzle, my old friend," said that gentleman, with a sneer, " you'll know me the next time , won't you ? Can't I prevail on you to come in, and sit down, and make yourself as miserable as possible while you stay. How have you been since I saw you last, my dear ? You can't think how I've been pining for you ever since, my love."

The woman took not the slightest notice of his jibing tone ; not a muscle of her iron face moved, as she loomed up like a figure in granite, and looked down upon the contemptuous face of the captain of the Fly-by-Night.

" Oh ! so my politeness is all thrown away upon you, is it ? " he said, after a pause, " and you won't speak. Very well, my darling ; just as you like, you know, and I'll let you. Mrs. Rowlie, will you have the goodness to step out to the bar and bring me a pipe ? Draw up to the fire, Jacinto ; it's cold comfort this raw evening, and the entrance of that tall blast of north wind yonder has given me the chills. My dearest Grizzle, do come to the fire — there's a duck. You're cold — don't say no — I'm sure you are ! " And stretching out his arm, stage-fashion, and looking toward her. Captain Tempest began declaring, distractedly :

* Content thyself , my dearest love,

Thy rest at home shall be In Rowlie's sweet and pleasant inn,

For travel fits not thee ?

There's th^, old baPM for you, altered and improved \

THE MERMAID.

and here's our charming hostess with the pipe. Jacinto, my hearty,, won't you have a draw ? "

Jacinto, who was completely puzzled by the captain's eccentric manner, declined ; and glancing toward the tall woman, was slightly disconcerted to find her needle-like eyes fixed on his face with a gaze of piercing scrutiny.

" Who is this boy you have with you, Nick Tempest ? " sl^i exclaimed, in a harsh, discordant voice as she came up, and bending down, seemed piercing the boy through and through with her gleaming eyes.

" Oh ! so you have found your tongue, my sweet pet ? " said Captain Tempest. " I was afraid you had lost it altogether, which would be an unspeakable pity, you know ; for, as the Irish song says, * you've got an illigant tongue, and easily set a-going.' As to who he is, his name is Jacinto Mandetti, or something about the size of that, and he comes from old Seville — place where they raise sweet oranges ; and he is a good-looking youth, as you perceive, though somewhat of the tawniest. And so, no more at present."

Even through his brown skin, the flush that covered the boy's face, under her pitiless gaze, could be seen, as, with a sudden, sharp flash of his black eyes, he rose indignantly, and turned away.

" Well, I'm glad you've got through looking at him and admiring his beauty, my dear," continued the captain, in the same mocking strain. " I was beginning to feel a little jealous, you know, seeing the hearts of young and tender females are so easily captivated. Come, sit down here beside me, and tell me how the world has been using you for the last ten months."

"What devil's deed brings you back now. Captain Tempest ? " said the woman, spurning the seat he placed for her away with her foot, and leaning against the mantel.

" Really, my dear Grizzle, your manner of address can hardly be called strictly polite ; but plainness was always a failing of yours." And he glanced slightly at her forbidding countenance. "I came here to see my friends generally, and to see Mrs. Grizzle Howlet particularly — though that lady's welcome has been indifi:'erent, not to l8 THK DARK SECRET.