CHAPTER XXXI.
Paul's Proposal for a Second Settlement. John's Love Affair. Tom's Projects and Departure. The Village of Amistad. The Return of Mr. Carruthers. The Fifth Anniversary and its Plans. The Conclusion.

BEFORE the Indians left Esperanza, Paul requested his beloved friends to listen to his wishes. "My tribe is small," said he, "and my people are gradually becoming weaned from their love of slaughter. They would still be hunters, and they see that the fair men who cultivate the ground and eat the fruits of it in peace, are not less brave in battle nor less bold in the hunting-field than themselves. They say 'Why should we not eat corn bread, and rich butter from the cows! The whole Pampas are ours, let us choose a fertile spot, | | 374 where our cattle can find grass, and there raise our tents for many seasons. Let us dwell near the Christians; they will not destroy our tents; and we will swear, by the great and good God of the Christians, never to burn their dwellings, nor rob their corrals, but to be their friends--the same people.' I heard them speak with joy; yet I fear my Christian brothers will say, 'the Indian is treacherous and bloody; let him dwell far from us.' Give me words, good father, to speak to my people."

Paul concluded, and there was a momentary silence. Every one wished to speak; but the duty and responsibility of answering devolved on Mr. Merton. The good man lifted up his hands, and said, "blessed be God, who may yet permit me to plant a church in the wilderness! and blessed be your example, my son, that has won the stubborn heart of the heathens. Come near to us; it is the command of God, and must be pleasant to us."

All the family seconded the opinion of their father, and a grand discussion ensued about the locality, the huts, the gardens; but all decisions were deferred for the present; and Paul returned to his people with the invitation to become neighbors to the Christians, accompanied by his bride the new Christian, Anna, loaded with pretty gifts by her young friends.

The happy party at Esperanza spent the winter cheerfully in useful employment and improving studies. Tom, since his adventure with the peccaries, had lost much of his taste for hunting; he desired, like his father, to become a minister of the Gospel, and was now engaged in study to fit him for the office. The rain, sleet, and frost, came as usual; but with abundant provision, and warm, comfortable dwellings, every one was contented with his in-door life, and evenings of music and dancing delighted the young Indian pupils.

"Mistress," said John to Mr. Douglas one morning, as he was setting out her breakfast-table, "I've gotten something on my mind."

"Then out with it, John," said his mistress, "or you will let my cups fall; and you must remember we have no china-shops at Esperanza. Now, what's the matter? Have the mules ate my linen from the hedge? or have you let the breakfast-cakes get scorched? Speak out man; you look as if you were going to be hanged."

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"Not so bad as that, mistress," answered he; "but, you see, it's Nanny. Oh! she is an uncommon woman--far beyond me!"

"That is the truth, John," said Mrs. Douglas, "for you are not an uncommon man, though you are a very good fellow, if one could get you to speak out. Here's your master--speak to him."

"Nay, mistress," said John, "it's you that must talk to her, if you will; and just incense her that it would be a good thing, so far as we both are fra' our nat'ral homes, that we should just come together and be married."

"A good thing!" said Mrs. Douglas; "why, you simple fellow, you know Nanny has a temper, and a quiet fellow like you would take ill to a termagant."

"Why, that's true, mistress," replied he; " she has her tiffs, poor body; but, bless you, its over in no time. She flies off like a sky-rocket, and splutters and roars, and there's no more on't. I'se used to her, mistress, and I just sits quietly till she comes right, and then it's always, 'John, my man, wilt' have a bit of supper?'"

Mr. Douglas laughed at John's boldness, but promised to use his influence with Nanny, and suggested that John should set about building a hut.

"It would be as much as my life was worth to name that to her," said the obedient lover. "Nay, we mun never set ourselves up to be householders. There's not a man living could wile away Nanny fra' her own folks. I can come here and tantle after mistress as usual, when she wants me, and then back to help Nanny a bit."

"With all my heart, John," said his master; "but how does Nanny receive your suit?"

"Why, she just tells me to hold my tongue, and go about my business, like an idle good-to-nought, as I is; but there's nought in that, sir," answered John. "And I'se be bound, if you would just give me a good character, she would come round."

So the master and mistress agreed to give John a good character; and though Nanny grumbled loudly and long at the hardship of having such a feckless fellow to look after, when her hands were filled with work, she relented at the intercession of the bairns, and the wedding took place with all proper solemnity and festivity.

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And Nanny, notwithstandng her chuntering, as John said, made him a good wife, and he declared that he had never been so happy in his life, for he had no care but to do as Nanny bid him; and in the evening, as she really enjoyed music, he was permitted to sit down and play on the fiddle, often calming some little ebullition of Nanny's temper by playing one of her favorite tunes.

As soon as the frosts of winter dispersed, a site was sought. for the Indian settlement, Dr. Lewis directing the attention of his friends to a beautiful spot he had noticed on his expedition in search of Jack: It was about eight miles from Esperanza, on the banks of the large river, abounding in rich grass and noble trees, forming a park-like scene. The whole party were charmed with the situation, which was not near enough to Esperanza for the Indians to become troublesome, and yet within an hour's ride, so that it would not be difficult for the young ladies to accomplish a plan they anxiously desired, of forming schools for young children, and devoting some time every day in teaching them.

A sufficient space was marked out to allow twenty huts to be built in a circle,--the number of the families of the tribe. Each hut was to be surrounded by a garden, behind which was to be a plot of ground for corn. The house for the chief was to occupy a larger space than any of the rest, and opposite to it a vacancy was left for a chapel, when they had time to raise it. The area in the midst, which included some beautiful trees, was to be appropriated for athletic sports, and the amusements of the women and children, and it was proposed to surround the whole with a moat, and wall of earth.

Paul arrived soon after with his whole tribe, who raised their tents near the chosen spot, that they might conveniently commence operations. The cacique was charmed with the locality, and was easily made to comprehend the plans his friends had drawn.

"I will go with many skins to Buenos Ayres," said he, " and obtain from the noble merchants there, in exchange for them, the cups and dishes of China, the silver forks and spoons from Peru. and the iron cooking utensils from Europe. Then my tolderia shall also be Esperanza."

But Paul was told he must select some other name for his settlement, to distinguish it from European dwellings. He | | [377]

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was rather mortified that his tolderia could not be Esperanza, but finally decided that it should be named Amistad. He and Anna remained at Esperanza till the buildings were erected, improving in the society of their European friends, while Joe and Jem superintended the work, and taught and assisted the unpracticed workmen at Amistad.

"And now, dear papa and mamma," said Tom, "since you are surrounded by so many friends, I will venture to petition that you will allow me to quit you for a season; you know I am the least useful of the community now. I delight in theories, but I want energy to draw practical results from them; yet I am not satisfied--I wish to do some good in the world. I wish to study divinity that I may fulfil a duty: my scientific pursuits can still be my recreation; and I might thus, among the untutored Indian, be able to turn my studies to the good purpose of advancing religion, and civilization. We are no longer entirely cut off from the world, for our good friend Paul undertakes to conduct me, certainly by a long and dreary journey, to Buenos Ayres. From thence, if you will permit me, I will sail for England, receive such instructions as our means will allow, enter the Church, if I am thought worthy, and return to help you, dear father, in your missionary labors."

It was with pain that Mr. and Mrs. Merton agreed to part with one of their children--the thoughtful, good, obedient son, who had always been so much the companion of his father; but Mr. Carruthers represented to them the duty of consenting to God's will in this important matter, and even offered to accompany him to England, place him in one of the universities, and after transacting some affairs of his own, return to Esperanza to settle permanently.

"You must consent, dear mamma," said Jack; "see what treasures you will still have left. I declare myself a citizen of Esperanza for life, and Charles Villars intends to follow my worthy example--no despicable members of the community. Then here is your fourth son, Dr. Lewis, an excellent fellow, determined never to leave home. If you had remained in Westmoreland, the girls might have married men that lived hundreds of miles from us, and you would have lost them; but here their husbands must come, and we shall all dwell together like the patriarchs of old."

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Mrs. Merton smiled at Jack's arguments, and when she reflected that her children might have been scattered in distant lands, instead of being gathered round her in health, plenty, and peace, she felt ashamed that she should regret parting with one, to fit him for the service of God.

Charles declared that Tom must be entered at Cambridge, at his college, which was a college of gentlemen, and clever fellows too, as might be seen by the specimen before them, and as to the money . . .

"Have we not some money, my dear?" inquired Mr. Merton of his wife, for the matter had been forgotten on a spot where money was useless.

It was then recollected that the Mertons had money sufficient for all expenses in Tom's college life. There was Mrs. Merton's little fortune in the funds, with the accumulated dividends and Mr. Merton's rents since they left England. In the mean time Mr. Carruthers would pay the expenses of the voyage, and Charles said:

"Remember, Tom, above all things to go directly to my tailor in Bond-street, and let him fit you out at once. You would never recover your credit at Cambridge, if you were to appear in a coat made by Nanny, and a poncho woven by the girls. And tell him to send me a new hunting fit-out next spring by Carruthers. I want no full-dress matters. I have a coat that I suppose I must wear when I am married, and then put it by till my eldest son comes of age. But still I shall give you a list of things that one does want even here, and tell the people to draw, as usual, on my banker at Valparaiso, for the whole account."

Even Mr. Merton did not object to this arrangement, as he could not but perceive that the costume of Tom must under-go a reformation before he could appear in the polished society of England, and these minor matters arranged, many charges and counsels were given by the good parents. Then he was enjoined to visit Winston, and see all their old friends.

"You must see Dick Evans," said Jack; "I suppose he will be drudging on at R-- school. You can tell him what an old fellow I have grown, spending my days in hunting and shooting; knocking down a lion or jaguar now and then keeping half a dozen horses for my own riding, and thinking of building myself a mansion, and marrying a wife."

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"And you will please, Master Tom," said Nanny, "to give a look after old Peggy Green, my aunt, if she be spared yet; and you may say I ha' no thoughts just now of coming over to Winston, for it is an awful way to it; and i'se cannily off here. And you can just say, honey, that I've picked up a good man here, far away as it is. And ye needn't say ought but what's good on him, poor body, for the man's not that ill, if he'd stir himsel' a bit more."

"He's an excellent fellow," replied Tom, "and a good friend of mine; and depend on it, Nanny, I shall tell all the folks at the village what a sensible husband you have got, and what a good wife you make."

"Least said about that is best," said she "for you know, Master Tom, it's not in t' natur of me to hold my tongue when folks aggravate me; and may be I say some hard words to him, nows and thens, but he never minds--not he."

It was a sorrowful morning, though the sun rose on a prospect as fair and rich as the eye could desire, when Tom parted with he weeping friends, to pursue his way over the wide Pampas. He was accompanied by Mr. Carruthers, Almagro. Paul, and six Indians, all well mounted and well armed, carrying a tent to shelter the Europeans from the night air; the Indians at this season, desiring no roof but the canopy of heaven, merely made a fire to keep the puma and jaguar at a distance, and lying down covered with their ponchos, to enjoy their sound and healthy slumber.

The work of attending to the rising buildings at Amistad, was salutary to the party left at home. At first the Indians had been quite unable to labor more than an hour or two without great fatigue; but they became gradually more accustomed to the muscular action, and more attached to the labor which produced such pleasing results. In the mean time the women were instructed in household matters by Matilda; Maria, remembering how she had herself been taught, chose to teach the elder girls, and Mary, seated on the turf, with a swarm of little Indians round her, undertook the difficult task of communicating to them the rudiments of religion, morality, and civilized manners. After a little preliminary discipline, she hoped to teach them to speak and read Spanish. which as most generally useful, it was proposed should be the common language of the two settlements.

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And thus busily employed, some weeks passed, and they had the pleasure of seeing Lewis and Paul return, bringing the good tidings of the welfare of the travellers, who had engaged a passage in an English vessel, and were enjoying the hospitality of Buenos Ayres when their friends left them. Besides satisfactory letters from Tom, Mr. Carruthers had kindly sent useful presents,--tea and sugar, the luxuries of the community, books for Mr. Merton, and silks and muslins for the ladies.

Paul's mules had exchanged their loads of furs for useful iron implements for agricultural and mechanical purposes, with seeds and fruit-trees for the new settlement, which, to the great delight of the cacique, now presented a most interesting appearance; the houses were roofed, the workmen being now employed in fitting them up internally, with bamboo frames for bedsteads and tables, and benches for seats. Then the ingenious turners made a number of neat wooden platters, the Indians themselves forming cups of horn, and baskets of beech bark. Many of the young men of the tribe became expert workmen, and succeeded in making neat articles of furniture for their huts.

The gardens were laid out by John, and the young ladies assisted in sowing seeds, and planting shrubs and fruit-trees. A number of cows were collected in a capacious corral, and Nanny and Mrs. Douglas with much difficulty induced the women to milk; and Joe, having made churns and cheese-moulds, they were next initiated in the mysteries of making butter and cheese. The women, naturally disinclined to occupation and to cleanliness, were much less tractable pupils than the men; but the persevering and indefatigable Mrs. Douglas finally reduced them to submission, and having once tasted the fruits of their labors, they became more reconciled to the exertion.

And when the labors of summer and autumn had filled their barns with stores for the winter, the Indians were rejoiced and grateful to their teachers and while hunting with the young Europeans, or assisting in their workshops, they acquired insensibly, from association, the manners, and much of the information of their civilized friends. One after another the young people came to Mr. Merton for the important instruction that was to fit them to be Christians, and week after week his little congregation increased, the church being | | 381 already commenced at Amistad for the reception of Mr. Carruthers.

Thus the winter passed away in improvement and cheerfulness and summer brought Mr. Carruthers again to his anxious friends. Amidst the noisy greetings of the happy party, from the loud bark of the delighted Wallace to the sweet tones of Cecilia, it was some time before any details could be heard of dear absent Tom.

At length they had the satisfaction of learning that be had already succeeded in obtaining honorable distinction in his college, that he was well and happy, and sanguine in the hope that he should be permitted to return to them to work good. Then came the satisfactory account of the visit to Winston, and the great rejoicings of the villagers, many of whom would actually have come out to join their beloved pastor in a far land; but Mr. Carruthers did not conceive himself authorised to incur such a responsibility in the infant condition of the settlement. He had been compelled, however, to undertake the charge of many little remembrances from the poor villagers, several pairs of warm woollen knitted stockings for "the master," and a number of pots of blackberry jelly for "the mistress." There was also a large supply of fishing flies from Jack's friend, Dick Evans; and two young kittens--which in the course of their long journey had become cats--for Matilda and Mary, from Nanny's aunt Peggy, happily arrived in safety.

Besides the charge of these gifts, Mr. Carruthers had fulfilled the request of Charles, and brought over large packets of useful articles for himself and the family; and to these he had added, on his own account, a good supply of the cutlery of England for the use of the colony at Amistad, and slates, pencils, and books for schools, which he rejoiced to find had progressed so wonderfully. He now devoted his time principally to instructing the Indians, and performing the services daily in the church of their settlement, and had the satisfaction of believing that his labors were attended with success.

The young Albert, under his many instructors, was receiving an excellent education; he was a quick and intelligent boy, and his father consented that he should remain entirely with his European friends, to be accomplished in every branch of learning and science; Dr. Lewis intending even to culti- | | 382 vate in him a taste for all studies connected with the medical art; for nothing would he more likely to command the respect and attachment of his people than this useful branch of knowledge.

On the fifth anniversary of the first settlement of the Mertons at Esperanza, a large and happy party assembled at the new house. Paul and. Anna, who were daily visitors, were of course there, and Pedro accompanied them with Zara, and the little Christopher, always welcome guests. Pedro had been inspecting with astonishment the thriving colony at Amistad, and he now said to Mr. Merton:

"My heart desires to be near you. Are not you the father? Are not these the brothers of Pedro and Zara? But the Indians of the Pampas are proud of their independence; they love not the Christian's law of obedience. The old warriors of my tribe are meek-faced and treacherous as the jaguar which crouches to spring on its prey. Shall I bring the spear of destruction to the dwellings which have sheltered my child? Shall the songs of my sisters, the songs which rise to heaven like those of the forest birds in the summer morning, be changed to the wail of mourning or the shriek of despair? It shall not be, dear father; my people shall remain in the far south, till death calls the old warriors, and the young men have been taught by their European friends that the true God is a God of peace."

Mr. Merton was affected at the discourse of his reflecting friend Paul, yet he felt well pleased to hear that he did not intend to bring his numerous and formidable tribe into the neighborhood, for the good old man could never entirely overcome his dread of the wild rovers of the Pampas. Mr. Carruthers promised to make frequent visits to the tents of the south, and doubted not that a few years would bring the peace of Christianity to the tribe. The dinner was set out on the lawn before the house, and the happy parents looked round on the smiling faces of their children with joy and thankfulness. One alone was wanting, and he was, they hoped, happily and worthily occupied.

"I fear I am a selfish old man," said Mr. Merton, "for I cannot contemplate the separation from another of my circle with composure; and yet, my Lucy warns me, I must not ex- | | 383 pect the young, the adventurous, the ardent spirit to submit to this life in the wilderness. The repose that is the bliss of age, is irksome and revolting to youth. Tell me, Lewis, my faithful friend and counsellor, ought I to ask that you should all remain here, far from the pleasures, the improvements, and the duties of society?"

Dr. Lewis looked round on the smiling countenance of his young friends, and read the wishes of their hearts.

"We are not your captives my excellent friend," answered he, "but your devoted subjects. We have the means and the liberty to leave Esperanza when we choose; but I do not see any one anxious to avail himself of the privilege. I can. not answer for the young ladies, who are no longer children; they may perhaps wish to see more of the gay world before they take upon them the sober duties of life. What does my fair philosopher, Matilda say? Has she no desire to try the charms of fashionable circles, and find a new home in one of the gay cities of America?"

"This is my home for life; you cannot doubt it, Lewis," said Matilda, a little reproachfully.

"If that be the case," said Lewis, "I trust, my dear father, you will make me indeed your son, by bestowing on me your good and beloved daughter, Matilda. You will thus secure two certain retainers at Esperanza."

"My dear friend," cried the astonished father, "yon cannot be in earnest! These children are too young to think of marriage."

"Why, papa," answered Jack, amidst the general laughter of the circle, "Matilda is nearly twenty and we are all of mature years, and with your consent, we all intend to found separate houses. Maria agrees to take me; indeed she has no choice, for Charles, as everybody knows, has long been engaged to Mary."

"Wonderful!" said Mr. Merton; "and I really never expected such events to take place; neither I suppose, did Lucy; but probably she was in your secret. Still my dear children, this is a most terrible prospect for your mamma and me. We shall be left quite alone."

"Nothing of the sort, papa," said Jack; "our tents will surround yours, like those of the patriarchal age, and you will be the head of the tribe of Merton. I conclude you | | 384 have said 'yes' to us; so now, Charley, it is your turn to speak."

And Charles did speak, to the astonishment of Mr. Merton, for no one could ever have believed that the day would come Charles Villars should petition to remain for life at Epersanza [sic] . But his dear lively Mary had won him from his taste for the pleasures of fashionable society, and rallied him out of the little conceits that he had been led into by affluence and indulgence and naturally amiable, and attached to his guardian, he was now perfectly contented with life at Esperanza.

"Now I will not have you speak another word of nonsense my good friend," said Mrs. Douglas. "It is quite plain the dear girls must be settled; and I am quite ready to assist them in managing their household matters. We must have the houses built and furnished, the wedding-dresses made, and the weddings celebrated before winter; so, the sooner we begin work the better. Come, my dears, let us walk round and fix our plans, and then just run over my things and see what I can spare you."

Still, notwithstanding the impatience of the managing lady, it was sometime before Mr. and Mrs. Merton could reconcile themselves to the sudden step from childhood made by their children; but they were finally persuaded that the arrangement was not only reasonable, but most fortunate, as they should thus secure the settlement of their children around them. And then Mrs. Douglas stepped forward, in all the bustle of management, and as she sewed carpets and curtains, delivered profound lectures on domestic economy to her happy and much-amused young friends.

It is always painful to take leave of a pleasant family with whom we have been long intimately associated; but our time is come. We must not even wait for the festivities of the weddings, nor for the return of Tom, rich in academic honors and pious hopes. We will leave the Indians progressing in civilization and true knowledge ; while the calm old age of the good Mr. and Mrs. Merton was blessed by the sight of the prosperity and happiness of their children, satisfied that the reflecting mind will deduce from the simple narration, that perseverance and good faith must ever be rewarded with success and peace.

The End