Capitolas Peril - Page 145/218

"It may be so, I do not know. Oh, Herbert, whether it be from want of

sleep and excessive fatigue--for I have been on duty for three days and

nights--or whether it be from incipient illness, or all these causes

put together, I cannot tell, but my spirits are dreadfully depressed!

There seems to be hanging over me a cloud of fate I cannot dispel.

Every hour seems descending lower and blacker over my head, until it

feels like some heavy weight about to suffocate or crush me," said

Traverse, sadly.

"Pooh, pooh! hypochondria! cheer up! Remember that in a month we shall

probably be disbanded, and in a year--think of it, Traverse

Rocke--Clara Day will be twenty-one, and at liberty to give you her

hand. Cheer up!"

"Ah, Herbert, all that seems now to be more unsubstantial than the

fabric of a dream. I cannot think of Clara or of my mother without

despair. For oh, Herbert, between me and them there seems to yawn a

dishonored grave! Herbert, they talk, you know, of an attack upon the

Molina-del-Rey, and I almost hope to fall in that charge!"

"Why?" inquired Major Greyson, in dismay.

"To escape being forced into a dishonored grave! Herbert, that man has

sworn my ruin, and he will accomplish it!" said Traverse, solemnly.

"For Heaven's sake, explain yourself!" said Herbert.

"I will. Listen! I will tell you the history of the last three days,"

said Traverse; but before he could add another word the sentry that was

to relieve his guard approached and said: "Captain Zuten orders you to come to his tent instantly."

With a glance of significance, Traverse bowed to Herbert and walked

off, while the sentinel took his place.

Herbert saw no more of Traverse that day. At night he went to inquire

for him, but learned that he had been sent with a reconnoitering party

to the Molina-del-Rey.

The next day, on seeking Traverse, he understood that the young private

had been despatched on a foraging expedition. That night, upon again

inquiring for him, he was told that he had been sent in attendance upon

the officers who had borne secret despatches to General Quitman, at his

quarters on the Acapulco road.

"Traverse is right. They mean to ruin him. I see how it is, exactly.

When I saw Traverse on guard, two days ago, he looked like a man

exhausted and crazed for want of sleep, and since that time he has been

night and day engaged in harassing duty. That demon, Le Noir, with

Zuten to help him, has determined to keep Traverse from sleep, until

nature is thoroughly exhausted, and then set him upon guard, that he

may be found sleeping on his post. That was what the boy meant when he

talked of the cloud that was hanging over him, and of being forced into

a dishonored grave, and when he hoped, poor fellow, to fall in the

approaching assault upon the Molina-del-Rey! I see it all now. They

have decided upon the destruction of Traverse. He can do nothing, A

soldier's whole duty is comprised in one word--obedience, even if, as

in this instance, he is ordered to commit suicide. Let them hatch their

diabolical plots. We will see if the Lord does not still reign, and the

devil is not a fool. It shall go hard, but that they are 'hoist with

their own petard!'" said Herbert, indignantly.