Read Ebook: The White Rose of Memphis by Falkner William C Clark

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Ebook has 4122 lines and 211089 words, and 83 pages

"Positively against our rules to divulge the names of parties in mask, without their consent," says Sam.

"Well, does she reside in Memphis?"

"Can't answer; I tell you it is contrary to orders."

"Is she going to New Orleans on this boat?"

"Yes."

"Good! I'll find out who she is, if I follow her to the other side of the world!" and the imitator of the defunct tyrant made his way to where the mysterious queen stood conversing with her Barbarian Chief.

"Do not know; wish I did."

"I'll give a hundred dollars to know who she is."

"I'll go you halves," says Ivanhoe.

"I have the honor, your Majesty, to present my distinguished and honorable friend, Sir Knight of Ivanhoe." A graceful bow and the queen held out her little white hand, which Ivanhoe pressed to his lips.

"Sir Knight, we are delighted to know you. Shall we have the pleasure of your presence during our excursion to New Orleans?"

"I am profoundly grateful for your Majesty's condescension, and shall be overjoyed at the privilege of making one of the party."

"To-morrow being the first day of May, our festivities will commence, and it is our royal pleasure, sir knight, that you shall attach yourself to our court during the trip."

"I cannot find language, my dear madame, to express my gratitude for the distinguished honor you confer upon me."

"What's provoking?" says Wellington.

"That mysterious piece of humanity styling herself queen of Scots. I shall always hate masquerade balls after this. I don't think they are respectable at all."

"Come, come, your royal highness, you should not surrender at the first repulse; Ivanhoe has only gained a temporary triumph, and if you will come to the charge again with a brave heart, you may yet compel victory to perch on your banner."

"Ingomar had a monopoly until Ivanhoe leaped into the arena and carried off the prize, and I advise you to show a bold front. Strategy won't win in battles of love. If you expect to win, don't attempt to make a flank movement, but come boldly up to the front. Remember that 'faint heart never won fair lady.'"

"I don't want to win a fair lady, or any other kind of lady, until I know who she is."

"I guess you will find that out to-morrow, for she is going to New Orleans."

"True, but I learn that she means to make the entire trip incog."

"Impossible, sir, impossible; how can she remain on this boat two or three weeks without being recognized by some one?"

"No, but you may be sure the queen knows him; did you notice how affectionately she leans on his arm, and how close she puts her mouth to his ear when she speaks to him?"

"Yes, to be sure I did; but she is now playing the same game on Ivanhoe."

"Who the deuce is Ivanhoe?"

"I don't know that either, and without meaning any discourtesy to you, I beg to say that I don't care a copper to know who he is."

"I hear that it is the intention of Ingomar and Ivanhoe to imitate the example of the queen by making the trip incog."

"Capital idea, my lord, and you may depend upon my hearty co-operation. As soon as the boat leaves the wharf to-morrow let the war begin."

"Perhaps the captain will object to passengers going in disguise all the time."

"No; he told me that the queen intended to make the entire trip in mask, and that the same privilege would be extended to all who desired to avail themselves of it."

"Very good, very good; then the alliance, offensive and defensive, may be considered as ratified and confirmed."

"Charge, Chester, charge! and on, Stanley on!" said Wellington, as he drew the cork from a fresh bottle of champagne.

"Screw your courage up to the sticking point, my gallant king, and with the emperor and duke at your back, move on the enemy, unfurl your banner, cry 'havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war. Confusion and discomfiture shall overwhelm our foes."

"We must win the queen of Sheba to our side at all hazards, as I learn that she and her two maids of honor are going on the excursion."

"That shall be your task, then--to secure her co-operation. See her at once, and if she will join us, we will have an easy victory."

"You may depend on me for that," said the counterfeit king, as he started on his recruiting expedition. "I'll be back in a moment, and report progress. Meantime you and Napoleon mature the plan of the campaign during my absence."

At last the ball ended, the guests departed, save those who had engaged passage for the grand excursion, and they had retired for the night, to dream of the sport to be enjoyed on the morrow, while Captain Quitman paced proudly on the hurricane deck, with heart swelling with satisfaction at the pecuniary prospects before him.

The eventful and long-looked-for day on which the "White Rose of Memphis" was to start on her first trip had come at last, and a mighty stir, indeed, did that day produce on and under the tall, romantic bluff in front of Memphis. The morning was delightful, the atmosphere pure and invigorating, the sweet odor of fresh spring flowers was on the breeze, mingling with the soft notes of music produced by the band from the hurricane deck. The stars and stripes floated gracefully from the flag-staff, dark clouds of black smoke rose from the chimneys, a white cloud of steam struggled up through the black smoke and disappeared far above, innumerable drays rattled along the pavement, carriages thundered over the rocky road, carriage drivers swore at dray drivers, dray drivers returned the compliment with interest, in language not of a religious nature, deck hands sung "Dixie," cabin boys danced juber, chamber-maids darted hither and thither, apparently anxious to perform their duty, without the slightest conception of what that duty was. A villainous urchin, in the arms of his nurse, was making a heart-rending noise with a tin horn, and a passenger muttered something not taught at Sunday-school.

"Them's my sentiments to a T," said another man who had been annoyed with the tin horn.

As the hour drew near when the boat was to start the confusion increased. The pilot was at his wheel, the engineer was at his engine; Captain Quitman stood on the upper deck in front of the pilot house, looking happy, and feeling vastly important. Hundreds of men, women and children in holiday costumes stood on the bluff, shouting and waving white handkerchiefs to their friends on the boat. A mocking-bird in a cage on the boiler deck imitated every imaginable sound with his wonderful voice, while a parrot, perched on a pole near the clerk's office, kept crying, "Let her rip! let her rip, Sam!"

"How much steam have you got, Tom?" cried the pilot through his speaking-tube.

"One sixty, sir, and still rising."

"All right; blow off the mud valves and keep a good head; we must make a good run at the start."

"Time's up, Dave; let her go," said the captain. "Run her up to the mouth of Wolf, make a turn to the left, and then let her come down with her best speed."

"Let go the head line," cried the mate.

"Draw in the stage," says the captain.

"Go ahead on the larboard, and back on the starboard," cried the pilot to the engineer.

"Go ahead on the steward, and back on the cook-house," cries a mischievous little negro, who is dancing a jig in front of the pilot house.

The boat moves slowly up stream until a point opposite the mouth of Wolf river is reached, then makes a graceful curve to the left, and comes flying past the city with a speed never equaled by any other boat on that river. As the "White Rose" passed the last crowd on the bluff a tremendous shout rose from a thousand voices, which was answered by the throng of passengers who lined the deck of the boat. As the golden rays of the morning sun glanced down against the side of the boat, and played and danced with the painted glass of her cabin, a thousand dazzling streaks of light flashed back, presenting a sight of indescribable beauty. It was but a few moments until the boat passed round the bend below President's Island, and shut off from view the tall domes of the bluff city; but the fresh green foliage with which the tall trees were clothed presented a scene of beauty on which the beholders gazed with delight. As might have been expected, quite a sensation was created among the large crowd of passengers when a dozen or more men and women appeared on deck disguised with as many different and curious costumes. A murmur of dissatisfaction rose among some of the passengers, which threatened to produce trouble; but finally it subsided when the clerk announced the fact that all the maskers were well known to him, and that they were respectable people.

"First rate, first rate, my lord. How is it with you?"

"Here he is. Now let us commence the siege at once. I see her Majesty, the queen of Sheba, and her attendants, are waiting for us. The Scottish queen has marshaled her forces on the hurricane deck."

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