‘I’ve seen a man hanged in the middle of a comic song,’ that gentleman observed, with an air of studious reflection; ‘and I guess he was somewhat frigid. I once saw a man meet a long-lost brother whom he had given up for dead, and ask him for a borrowed sovereign, by way of salutation, and I calculate that was cool; but for pure solid stoical calmness, you are right there and blooming.’
‘Had I expressed any perturbation, it would have been on account of my doubting your sanity,’ Edgar replied. ‘Does it not strike you as a little strange that a casual acquaintance should discover a puzzle worth ten thousand pounds to me?’
‘The onexpected always happens; and blessed things happen swiftly, as great and good things always do,’ said Slimm sententiously. ‘I haven’t quite got the touch of them quotations, but the essence is about consolidated, I calculate.’
‘What a fund of philosophy you have!’
‘You may say that,’ said the American with some little pride. ‘You see, some years ago I was down to New Orleans, and I had considerable fever—fact, I wasn’t out of the house for months. Reading ain’t much in my line; but I had to put up with it then. There was a good library in the house, and at first I used to pick out the plums; but that wouldn’t do, so I took ’em in alphabetical order. It was a large assortment of experience to me. First, I’d get Blair on the Grave, and read that till I was oncertain whether I was an or’nary man or a desperate bad one. Then I would hitch on to British Battles, and get the taste out of my mouth. I reckon I stored up enough knowledge to ruin an or’nary digestion. I read a cookery-book once, followed by a chemistry work. I got mixed there.—But to return to our muttons, as the Mo’sieus say. I ain’t joking about that letter, and that’s a fact.’
‘But what can you know about it?’ Edgar queried, becoming interested, in spite of himself and his better judgment.
‘Well, you listen, and I’ll tell you.’
Edgar composed himself to listen, excited more than he cared to show by the impressive air of his companion, and the absence of that quaint smile which usually distinguished him; nor could the younger man fail to notice not only the change of manner but the change of voice. Mr Slimm was no longer a rough miner; and his accent, if not of refinement, was that of cultivation. Carefully choosing another cigar, and lighting it with deliberate slowness, each moment served to raise his companion’s impatience, a consummation which the astute American doubtless desired.
‘When I first knew your uncle,’ he said at length, ‘we were both much younger men, and, as I have before told you, I saved his life. That was in the mines. Well, after a time I lost sight of him, as is generally the case with such wanderers. After he left the mines, I did not stay long; for a kind of home-sickness came over me, and I concluded to get away. I determined to get back and settle down; and for the first time in my life, the notion of marriage came into my head. I had not returned long when I met my fate. Mr Seaton, I will not weary you with a description of my wife. If ever there was an angel upon earth—— But no matter; still, it is always a mystery to my mind what she could see in a rough uncouth fellow like me. Well, in course of time we married. I had some money then; but we decided before the year was out that it would be best to get some business for occupation for me. So, after little Amy was born, we moved West.
‘For five years we lived there in our little paradise, and two more children came to brighten our Western home. I was rapidly growing a rich man, for the country was good, and the fear of Indians kept more timorous people away. As for us, we were the best of friends; and the old chief used to come to my framehouse and nurse little Amy for hours. I shall never forget that sight. The dear little one, with her blue eyes and fair curls, sitting on that stern old man’s knee, playing with his beads, and not the least afraid; while the old fellow used to grunt and laugh and get as near a smile as it is possible for an Indian to do. But this was not to last. The old chief died, and a half-breed was appointed in his place. I never liked that man. There was something so truculent and vicious in his face, that it was impossible to like the ruffian. Well, one day he insulted my wife; she screamed, and I ran to her assistance. I took in the situation at a glance, and gave him there and then about the soundest thrashing a man ever had in his life. He went away threatening dire vengeance and looking the deadliest hate; but next morning he came and apologised in such humble terms—for the scoundrel spoke English as well as his own tongue—that I was fain to forget it. Another peaceful year passed away, and then I was summoned to New York on business. Without a single care or anxiety, I left my precious ones behind. I had done it before, and they were not the least afraid.