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Show 86 TirE I.ILY A~D THE TOTEM. gr<'nl and :~.clive sensation among tl1e colonists-a sensation not tlw less deep and ncti,•c, because a sens(l of their own danger kept tl1em frmu its open expression. Had Albert pardoned Lnclume, or let him off with some slight punbhmcnt, it is not improbable that the mnttcr would lmvc ended there; and the cruel proceedings against Guernachc might have been forgiven if not forgotten. Dut these were kept ali\'C by those which followed against their other favorite; and some of the boldest, feeling how de8pcratc their condition threatened to become, now ventured to expostulate with their superior upon his wanton and unwise SC\'Critics. Dut they were confounded to find that they thcmsch·cs incurred tl1e danger of L:1~hane, in the attempt to }llcad against it. .lt was one of the miserable weaknesses in the character of Cap tam Albert, to suppose l1is autl10rity in danger whenever he wns approached with the language of cxpostubtion. To question his justice seemed to him to defy his power-to entreat for mercy, sucl1 a showing of hostility ns to demand punishment also. I fo resented, as an impertinence to !Jimself, all such approaches; and his ans1vcr to the prayers of his people was couched in the language of contumely and threat. They retired from his presence 'accordingly, with feelings of increased dislike nnd disgust, and with a discontent wllich was the more dangerous as they succeeded most effectually in controlling its exhibition. But if such was the state of the rela.tions between Albert and his people, how much worse did thoy become, when, at the close of the first eighth day after the banishment 'of Lnchane, it was discovered that the orders for prodding him with the allowance of food had been suspended, or countermanded. The captain wns silent; and uo one, unless at his bidding, could venture to carry tho LACIIAl'U:1 THF. DELIVERER, 87 poor exile his allotted pittance. The eighth clay passed. Tho men murnmred nr.Jong themselves, nnd their murmurs soon encouraged tho utterance of n bolder Yoico. Nicholas Barril, a. man of great firmness and intelligence, one of their number, at length presented himself before the captain. I [c boldly reminded him of tho condition of Laclmne, and urged him to hasten l!il! supplies of food bcfo1·e he perished. Bu~ the self-esteem and consequence of Albert, under pro\'ocation, became a. sort of madness. He answered the suggestion with indignity and insult. "Begone!" he exclaimed, "nnd trouble me no more with your complaints. What is it to me if the scoundrel docs perish? 1 mean tha~ he shall perish! Ue desen·cs his fate! I shall be glad when yc can tell me that he no longer needs his allowance. Away! you dcRCr\'e a like punishment. Let me hear another word on this subject, and the offender shall sl1are his fate!" Tho insulting answer was accompanied by all the tokens of brute anger and severity. The most furious oaths sufficed equally to show his insanity and earnestness:. l-lis1 indeed, was now an insanity Fmch as seizes usually upon tl1oso whom God is preparing for destruction. BarnS deemed it only prudent to retire from the presence of a rage which it was no longer politic to provoke ; but, in his soul, the purpose was already taking form and strength, which contemplated resistance to a tyranny w wild and reckless:. Ho was not alone in this purpose. The sentiment of resistance n.nd disaffection was gi'Owing all around J,im, and it only needed one who should embody H for successful exercise. But, for this, time was requisite. To decide for action, on the part of a conspimcy, it is fi1·st required that what is the common sentiment shall become the common neccs.sity. |
