Guy Rivers: Chapter 1 - 5 E-Book

William Gilmore Simms

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Seitenzahl: 94

Beschreibung

Our scene lies in the upper part of the state of Georgia, a region at this time fruitful of dispute, as being within the Cherokee territories. The route to which we now address our attention, lies at nearly equal distances between the main trunk of the Chatahoochie and that branch of it which bears the name of the Chestatee, after a once formidable, but now almost forgotten tribe. Here, the wayfarer finds himself lost in a long reach of comparatively barren lands. The scene is kept from monotony, however, by the undulations of the earth, and by frequent hills which sometimes aspire to a more elevated title. The tract is garnished with a stunted growth, a dreary and seemingly half-withered shrubbery, broken occasionally by clumps of slender pines that raise their green tops abruptly, and as if out of place, against the sky.

Leseprobe

Table Of Contents

Chapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5

Chapter 1

THE STERILE PROSPECT AND THE LONELY TRAVELLER.

Our scene lies in the upper part of the state of Georgia, a region at

this time fruitful of dispute, as being within the Cherokee territories.

The route to which we now address our attention, lies at nearly equal

distances between the main trunk of the Chatahoochie and that branch of

it which bears the name of the Chestatee, after a once formidable, but

now almost forgotten tribe. Here, the wayfarer finds himself lost in a

long reach of comparatively barren lands. The scene is kept from

monotony, however, by the undulations of the earth, and by frequent

hills which sometimes aspire to a more elevated title. The tract is

garnished with a stunted growth, a dreary and seemingly half-withered

shrubbery, broken occasionally by clumps of slender pines that raise

their green tops abruptly, and as if out of place, against the sky.

The entire aspect of the scene, if not absolutely blasted, wears at

least a gloomy and discouraging expression, which saddens the soul of

the most careless spectator. The ragged ranges of forest, almost

untrodden by civilized man, the thin and feeble undergrowth, the

unbroken silence, the birdless thickets,--all seem to indicate a

peculiarly sterile destiny. One thinks, as he presses forward, that some

gloomy Fate finds harbor in the place. All around, far as the eye may

see, it looks in vain for relief in variety. There still stretch the

dreary wastes, the dull woods, the long sandy tracts, and the rude hills

that send out no voices, and hang out no lights for the encouragement of

the civilized man. Such is the prospect that meets the sad and searching

eyes of the wayfarer, as they dart on every side seeking in vain for

solace.

Yet, though thus barren upon the surface to the eye, the dreary region

in which we now find ourselves, is very far from wanting in resources,

such as not only woo the eyes, but win the very soul of civilization. We

are upon the very threshold of the gold country, so famous for its

prolific promise of the precious metal; far exceeding, in the

contemplation of the knowing, the lavish abundance of Mexico and of

Peru, in their palmiest and most prosperous condition. Nor, though only

the frontier and threshold as it were to these swollen treasures, was

the portion of country now under survey, though bleak, sterile, and

uninviting, wanting in attractions of its own. It contained indications

which denoted the fertile regions, nor wanted entirely in the precious

mineral itself. Much gold had been already gathered, with little labor,

and almost upon its surface; and it was perhaps only because of the

limited knowledge then had of its real wealth, and of its close

proximity to a more productive territory, that it had been suffered so

long to remain unexamined.

Nature, thus, in a section of the world seemingly unblessed with her

bounty, and all ungarnished with her fruits and flowers, seemed desirous

of redeeming it from the curse of barrenness, by storing its bosom with

a product, which, only of use to the world in its conventional

necessities, has become, in accordance with the self-creating wants of

society, a necessity itself; and however the bloom and beauty of her

summer decorations may refresh the eye of the enthusiast, it would here

seem that, with an extended policy, she had planted treasures, for

another and a greatly larger class, far more precious to the eyes of

hope and admiration than all the glories and beauties in her sylvan and

picturesque abodes. Her very sterility and solitude, when thus found to

indicate her mineral treasures, rise themselves into attractions; and

the perverted heart, striving with diseased hopes, and unnatural

passions, gladly welcomes the wilderness, without ever once thinking how

to make it blossom like the rose.

Cheerless in its exterior, however, the season of the year was one--a

mild afternoon in May--to mollify and sweeten the severe and sterile

aspect of the scene. Sun and sky do their work of beauty upon earth,

without heeding the ungracious return which she may make; and a rich

warm sunset flung over the hills and woods a delicious atmosphere of

beauty, burnishing the dull heights and the gloomy pines with golden

hues, far more bright, if for less highly valued by men, than the

metallic treasures which lay beneath their masses. Invested by the

lavish bounties of the sun, so soft, yet bright, so mild, yet beautiful,

the waste put on an appearance of sweetness, if it did not rise into the

picturesque. The very uninviting and unlovely character of the

landscape, rendered the sudden effect of the sunset doubly effective,

though, in a colder moment, the spectator might rebuke his own

admiration with question of that lavish and indiscriminate waste which

could clothe, with such glorious hues, a region so little worthy of such

bounty; even as we revolt at sight of rich jewels about the brows and

neck of age and ugliness. The solitary group of pines, that, here and

there, shot up suddenly like illuminated spires;--the harsh and

repulsive hills, that caught, in differing gradations, a glow and glory

from the same bright fountain of light and beauty;--even the low copse,

uniform of height, and of dull hues, not yet quite caparisoned for

spring, yet sprinkled with gleaming eyes, and limned in pencilling beams

and streaks of fire; these, all, appeared suddenly to be subdued in

mood, and appealed, with a freshening interest, to the eye of the

traveller whom at midday their aspects discouraged only.

And there is a traveller--a single horseman--who emerges suddenly from

the thicket, and presses forward, not rapidly, nor yet with the manner

of one disposed to linger, yet whose eyes take in gratefully the

softening influences of that evening sunlight.

In that region, he who travelled at all, at the time of which we write,

must do so on horseback. It were a doubtful progress which any vehicle

would make over the blind and broken paths of that uncultivated realm.

Either thus, or on foot, as was the common practice with the mountain

hunters; men who, at seventy years of age, might be found as lithe and

active, in clambering up the lofty summit as if in full possession of

the winged vigor and impulse of twenty-five.

Our traveller, on the present occasion, was apparently a mere youth. He

had probably seen twenty summers--scarcely more. Yet his person was tall

and well developed; symmetrical and manly; rather slight, perhaps, as

was proper to his immaturity; but not wanting in what the backwoodsmen

call _heft_. He was evidently no milksop, though slight; carried himself

with ease and grace; and was certainly not only well endowed with bone

and muscle, but bore the appearance, somehow, of a person not

unpractised in the use of it. His face was manly like his person; not so

round as full, it presented a perfect oval to the eye; the forehead was

broad, high, and intellectual--purely white, probably because so well

shadowed by the masses of his dark brown hair. His eyes were rather

small, but dark and expressive, and derived additional expression from

their large, bushy, overhanging brows, which gave a commanding, and, at

times, a somewhat fierce expression to his countenance. But his mouth

was small, sweet, exquisitely chiselled, and the lips of a ripe, rich

color. His chin, full and decided, was in character with the nobility of

his forehead. The _tout ensemble_ constituted a fine specimen of

masculine beauty, significant at once of character and intelligence.

Our traveller rode a steed, which might be considered, even in the

South, where the passion for fine horses is universal, of the choicest

parentage. He was blooded, and of Arabian, through English, stocks. You

might detect his blood at a glance, even as you did that of his rider.

The beast was large, high, broad-chested, sleek of skin, wiry of limb,

with no excess of fat, and no straggling hair; small ears, a glorious

mane, and a great lively eye. At once docile and full of life, he trod

the earth with the firm pace of an elephant, yet with the ease of an

antelope; moving carelessly as in pastime, and as if he bore no sort of

burden on his back. For that matter he might well do so. His rider,

though well developed, was too slight to be felt by such a creature--and

a small portmanteau carried all his wardrobe. Beyond this he had no

_impedimenta_; and to those accustomed only to the modes of travel in a

more settled and civilized country--with bag and baggage--the traveller

might have appeared--but for a pair of moderately-sized twisted barrels

which we see pocketed on the saddle--rather as a gentleman of leisure

taking his morning ride, than one already far from home and increasing

at every step the distance between it and himself. From our privilege we

make bold to mention, that, strictly proportioned to their capacities,

the last named appurtenances carried each a charge which might have

rendered awkward any interruption; and it may not be saying too much if

we add, that it is not improbable to this portion of his equipage our

traveller was indebted for that security which had heretofore obviated

all necessity for their use. They were essentials which might or might

not, in that wild region, have been put in requisition; and the prudence

of all experience, in our border country, is seldom found to neglect

such companionship.

So much for the personal appearance and the equipment of our young

traveller. We have followed the usage among novelists, and have dwelt

thus long upon these details, as we design that our adventurer shall

occupy no small portion of the reader's attention. He will have much to

do and to endure in the progress of this narrative.

It may be well, in order to the omission of nothing hereafter important,

to add that he seems well bred to the _manège_--and rode with that ease

and air of indolence, which are characteristic of the gentry of the

south. His garments were strictly suited to the condition and custom of

the country--a variable climate, rough roads, and rude accommodations.

They consisted of a dark blue frock, of stuff not so fine as strong,

with pantaloons of the same material, all fitting well, happily adjusted

to the figure of the wearer, yet sufficiently free for any exercise. He

was booted and spurred, and wore besides, from above the knee to the

ankle, a pair of buckskin leggins, wrought by the Indians, and trimmed,

here and there, with beaded figures that gave a somewhat fantastic air

to this portion of his dress. A huge cloak strapped over the saddle,

completes our portrait, which, at the time of which we write, was that

of most travellers along our southern frontiers. We must not omit to

state that a cap of fur, rather than a fashionable beaver, was also the

ordinary covering of the head--that of our traveller was of a

finely-dressed fur, very far superior to the common fox skin cap worn by

the plain backwoodsmen. It declared, somewhat for the superior social

condition of the wearer, even if his general air and carriage did not

sufficiently do so.

Our new acquaintance had, by this time, emerged into one of those

regions of brown, broken, heathery waste, thinly mottled with tree and

shrub, which seem usually to distinguish the first steppes on the

approach to our mountain country. Though undulating, and rising

occasionally into hill and crag, the tract was yet sufficiently

monotonous; rather saddened than relieved by the gentle sunset, which

seemed to gild in mockery the skeleton woods and forests, just

recovering from the keen biting blasts of a severe and protracted

winter.

Our traveller, naturally of a dreamy and musing spirit, here fell

unconsciously into a narrow footpath, an old Indian trace, and without

pause or observation, followed it as if quite indifferent whither it

led. He was evidently absorbed in that occupation--a very unusual one

with youth on horseback--that "chewing of the cud of sweet and bitter

thought"--which testifies for premature troubles and still gnawing

anxieties of soul. His thoughts were seemingly in full unison with the

almost grave-like stillness and solemn hush of everything around him.