“You are in safety, sir,” said Muriel, gently.
He smiled, or tried to smile, sicklily, and his lips moved in the endeavor to speak, but no sound came from them.
“Where shall we take you, Mr. Lafitte?” said Harrington, after a pause.
After two or three ineffectual efforts, Lafitte contrived to whisper that he was stopping at the Tremont House. Harrington gave the order to the driver, and in a few minutes they arrived at the hotel. By that time Lafitte had recovered, and Harrington assisted him to button up his shirt and vest, resume his neckcloth, and get himself into something like decent trim.
Leaning on Harrington’s arm, he got from the carriage, and stood, weak and ghastly, on the sidewalk. The flurried driver, pointing to his horses, which stood reeking, and covered with froth and pasty foam, remarked that “if them animals ain’t blown, it’s nobody’s fault—that’s all.” Mr. Lafitte gave him a handful of gold and silver, and appeased, he retired with profuse thanks.
“And now, look here,” said Brown, fronting the slaveholder. “I don’t want to say nothin’ ugly to a man in your state, but I’ll give you my advice. You’ve had a taste of Southac street to-day, and if you ain’t dead, it’s just because this gentleman begged your life of me. You just leave this city now as quick as convenient, for if any of our folks fall afoul of you, you’ll get knifed as sure as you’re born. That’s my advice to you. Just you follow it, and bear in mind that you can’t carry on here as you do way down in Louzeana.”
“That is good advice, Mr. Lafitte,” said Harrington, “and Mr. Brown here means well by you in giving it. After what has passed, you must not remain in Boston.”
Harrington spoke with ominous earnestness, and Mr. Lafitte was evidently impressed by him. He stood, looking weak and sick, while these remarks were made to him, with his eyes cast down.
“I’ll go,” he faltered, “I certainly will. I am indebted to you, Mr. Harrington, for your protection—much indebted, sir. And to this lady also.”
“You are far more indebted to Mr. Brown,” said Muriel. “Without his friendly aid, we could have done nothing for you.”