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Read Ebook: The Missouri Outlaws by Aimard Gustave St John Percy B Percy Bolingbroke Translator
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Ebook has 2163 lines and 48668 words, and 44 pages
dy a very busy and important commercial emporium.
The Americans, with their restless activity, had hastened to clear away all signs of the War of Independence; the town had grown quite young again, and assumed that gay and lively physiognomy which belongs to great commercial centres, where almost everybody can find the means of living.
As soon as they were alone the captain spoke.
"When, my friend, do you propose to start?" he said.
"Tonight, two hours before the setting of the sun. I burn with a fierce desire to breathe the air of the great savannahs, to feel free from the trammels of civilisation," he answered.
"Well, my friend, I must leave you now, but promise to wait breakfast for me, and to do nothing until you have seen me again," insisted the captain.
"I was about to ask you to join me. Where shall we breakfast?"
The captain indicated a hotel at no great distance, after which he hurried away to wait on the consignees.
"What on earth can Pierre mean," muttered Oliver to himself, "by my doing nothing until we meet again? Probably he will try once more to change my resolution. He ought to know that once I make up my mind I never falter. He is a good fellow, the only man who has ever been my sincere and devoted friend--the only being in the world I am sorry to part from."
Musing thus Oliver strolled about, looking listlessly at the streets, the shops, and particularly selecting those which, by-and-by, he would have to visit for the purpose of his outfit, which he would have to purchase after breakfast.
An hour later the two men met in front of the hotel. Both were exact to a minute. They ordered breakfast in a private room. As soon as they had finished the captain opened the ball.
"Now let us chat," he said.
"With the greatest of pleasure," replied Oliver. "Nothing is more agreeable after a meal than to enjoy a cigar, a cup of coffee, and a friend's company."
"And yet you have determined to deprive yourself of these luxuries forever," replied Durand.
"Man is ever insatiable. The unknown always did and always will attract him. He will ever quit the substance for the shadow. The fable is right. But let us talk of something else. Serious conversation after eating is folly," observed Oliver.
"You are quite right--some more rum in your coffee? It is an excellent thing. What do you think I have been doing since I saw you?"
"It is impossible for me to guess," cried Oliver.
The captain rose, went to the window, and gave a short whistle. After this, he returned to his seat, Oliver staring at him while he sipped his coffee.
Five minutes elapsed, and then in came several men, carrying various packets, which they placed on a side table, and went out without speaking.
"What does it mean?" cried Oliver, in comic astonishment.
"Then something can rouse you?" cried Durand, smiling.
"No, only I wondered."
"Never mind. You still intend going off tonight?" asked the captain.
"Certainly," said Oliver rising; "that reminds me--"
"One moment. We are old friends, and there should be no secrets between us," urged Durand.
"There shall be none," answered Oliver.
"Have you much money?" asked Durand.
"Do you want to lend me any?" cried Oliver.
"No matter if I did. But still I want an answer," urged Durand.
"I have eleven thousand francs in gold sewn in my belt, and in a bag fastened round my neck diamonds worth a hundred and twenty thousand more. Besides this I have about eighty guineas in English money for immediate expenses. Are you satisfied?"
"Perfectly," said the captain laughing, "and now listen to me."
"Then it appears you are not quite satisfied?" cried Oliver, in his turn surprised.
"Don't be in a hurry. I wish to interest you if I can."
"I will wait your pleasure," observed Oliver, smiling at the other's hesitation.
"It is useless," said Durand, "for me to feign a gaiety I do not feel. I feel more like weeping than laughing. The mere idea of this long, perhaps eternal, separation makes my heart bleed. I think that the hand now in mine I shall never shake again."
"Don't be downhearted. Perhaps we may meet sooner than either of us expect," retorted Oliver.
"I hope you may be a true prophet. Still I cannot help shuddering at the thought of your starting off amidst people whose language you do not even know."
"There you are mistaken," responded Oliver; "as well as French, I speak English, Spanish, and Dutch, with about five Indian dialects, which I picked up at different times."
"It is a wonder," mused the other, "that, placed as you have been, you should have had the time."
"Before I became a cabin boy I could read and write a little. After a time I spent every moment of leisure in study."
"I remember," sighed Durand, "I never met you without you were reading. What will you do for books now?"
"What book is more interesting than that in which God has written on the plains, on the mountains, on the minutest blade of grass?" replied Oliver with enthusiasm. "Believe me, my friend, the sacred book of Nature has pages too interesting to ever weary us; from them you always find consolation, hope, encouragement. But," he added with a smile, "I have two books with me which, in my opinion, epitomise all great human thoughts, make man better, and even restore his courage, when bowed down by the heavy weight of misfortune. I have these books by heart, and yet I read them over again."
And he laid on the table two books bound in black morocco.
"What!" cried the amazed captain, "'The Imitation of Jesus Christ' and 'Montaigne'!"
"Yes. 'The Imitation of Jesus Christ' and 'Montaigne,' the most complete and sincere books ever written, for they tell the story of doubt and belief. They tell the rival story of all the philosophers who have existed since the creation of the world. With these two books and the magnificent spectacle of Nature around me have I not a whole library?"
"I cannot make you out. You overwhelm me," said the captain; "but I have not the courage to contradict you. You are too much for me. Go forth, seek the unknown, for alone that will comprehend you. You are one of those whom adversity purifies and renders great; you will often feel inclined to fall by the way in the gigantic combat you are about to undertake against the world. But fail is not a word in your dictionary. Even death, when it comes, will not conquer you."
"All the more that death is but a transformation, a purification of brutal matter by Divine agency. But," he remarked with a smile, "I think we are talking about very serious matters very foreign to our subject. Let us return to business, for the hour of our departure is rapidly approaching."
At this moment the tramp of horses was heard, and the captain again ran to the window.
"Hilloa!" cried the young man; "Another of your mysterious walks! Do explain yourself."
"All right," he replied, reseating himself, "there is no reason for circumlocution between friends. The truth must be told. I had hoped to lend you money, and I know that had you have required it, you would have borrowed it."
"Certainly, without hesitation, my friend."
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