CHAPTER XXIV.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 191, 24 November 1876, Page 6

CHAPTER XXIV.

BEFORE THE CASTLE OF VEBA CRUZ.

We must carry our readers to the Gulf of Mexico, where, before the Castle of Vera Cruz, the X was anchored, preparing for the siege that was to make so many bleediag hearts. The spirit of conquest of people and territory was the spirit of the Mexican war; not to subdue enemies, or to defend one's own, but to attack a harmless population. Of course there could be but little true patriotism ia such a war; there was but small heart in it, as many of the officers themselves acknowledged. We can compare it to nothing but a fight between a bull-dog and a small terrier ; ttet with the moral or political aspects of the war our narrative has but little to do. Lieutenant Alexander Hartland was at Vera Cruz, foremost in that terrible siege of five days, and bore his part so well that he was promoted to the " Captaincy," with the addition of a ball in his thigh, which threatened to lame him for life. Either care, or the sickly climate, or some nameless wear of the soul, had told on his lithe and vigorous frame, and he was illy prepared to bear his wound. It was at this juncture that the new surgeon arrived. From that time Captain Hartland grew almost dumb, and the lines about his mouth and chin deepened daily ; he became stern with his men, and reticent with his brother officers, treating Le Compte with chilling coldness, cutting off every effort of the surgeon to draw him into conversation, repelling all inquiries as to the condition of Us wound, and savagely hoping Le Compte might become amenable, by some infringement of rule, to a courtmartial. But the surgeon was too wise for him ; through all his icy coldness he was as courteous to the Captain as possible, always saluting him in a deferential and kindly "way, returning his gruffness with forbearance, and a certain kind of humility; which said, " I know I have injured you, and I will do all I can to repair it in your person."

There were times when the Captain was almost frantic, so exasperating were his thoughts, uud nothing but the strict discipline of a man-of-war couM liwe prevented a violent outbreak. Ib was specially galling to Ale<k to foci that he was coming more and more within the power of the mnu he had come to hate; his wound was growing day by day more troublesome for the want of proper treatment, and the fever of the climate had made its appearance on shipboard — either might bring him into the Doctor's hands any day. And they came at last, both together; the wound broke out afresh, and delirium and fever came upon him ; his heart had been taxed too far. After he was transferred to the ship's hospital the fever ran higher, the bounding pulse became sharper each day, till two of his brother officers twice stood over him, watching for the last breath. But Le Compte, who had tended him faithfully, assured them that the worst was yet to come — when the raging fever had burned out, and he should come to himself; and his words proved true. That night was the turning point; three times the nurse said he was gone, but Le Compte plied him with stimulants, and to his unwearied efforts he owed his life. The first glimpse of returning reason was shown in the averted face, when tho surgeon stooped over him with the necessary draught. The Doctor saw this, and withdrew at once, leaving the close care with the nurse, and only appearing when the Captain was sleeping, and withdrawing altogether as soon as he was able to speak. The first word was " letters," but when the lockage was given him, he could only hopelessly touch them. The alcove where his cob was placed was in a dim and darkened corner, and he held the letters near him many days, till he was able to ask for more light. A mirror hung opposite, and the reflection of his unshorn, emaciated face amazed him ; he hardly knew himself. To recall his identity he raised his hand to stroke his undipped beard, when he started as if a serpent had stung him, though the curtains were down, and no human eye was upon him, for there, on the fourth finger of his left hand, above the seal ring which he always wore, was a plain gold ring ; there could be no mistake, for in spite of the tremor which seized him, he drew it from his finger, and read, " Vincet omnia, vincit amor." He ground his teeth with rage, not against Le Compte, but against the false, degraded, worthless woman who could part with that ring; it was burning, searing proof of her infidelity. Her wliovn he had trusted through all, had restored to his shaken confidence when all but he frowned upon her; he needed no further proof, his decision was made.

The disclosure carried him into a relapse, and for many days he lay speechless, taking no notice of anyone. Captain Jones came to him again, when Le Compte had by assiduity brought Hartland where he could think and speak. With a wayward, way worn heart, he felt no gratitude for his recovery, he wished he had been carried out with the dead.

" Eead these for me," he said to Captain Jones, pointing to a package of home letters, " and put these into an envelope, and return them unopened to Mrs. Laura Hartland," he added, sternly; they had come from his wife during his illness. The letters from his father's hand, full of paternal love and solicitude, were evidently written with a perfect knowledge of the most minute circumstances of his son's position. " Thank that friend " (he wrote more than once), "whoever he is, who writes so particularly to relieve our anxiety."

" Le Coinpte," said Aleck, very decidedly, when Captain Jones looked up from the sheet, as if he would inquire who was this friend.

" Impossible ! " replied the Captain, equally decided in his tone " I feel it, I see it," said Hartland ; " I am under infinite obligations to him, Jones; obligations I can never repay; he has not only saved my life, for that I almost hate him, but he has opened my eyes, and for that I cannot be too grateful." "And you believe the rascal?" questioned his friend with surprise. " The proof is unquestionable, not a word has passed between us, but he — say no more," he added, feeling be was taxing himself too far, " henceforth, I aru a free man."

His decision was irrevocable, his tone was frigid, so severe, that his friend did not argue. From that day the relation between the Surgeon and his Captain was an amicable one. Although Aleck Hartland was quiet and cold, there was nothing of hauteur 01 revenge in his manner towards Le Corupte. He even talked ■with him sometimes when there were many listeners, on the common topics of the day, but he carefully avoided meeting him alone.

The Captain's fever and his still open wound had left him for duty, and he only waited orders from the Department for a furlough, and. looked forward ultimately to a discharge from the service, with a feeble body and blighted hopes.