# Lindigo, the White Woman/Chapter 9

CHAPTER IX.
Fighting Jack.
Upon his arrival at Edinburgh, Charlie visited Mr. Forbes (or advocate Forbes, as he was more frequently called), the leading and brightest luminary of the Scottish bar, to present his father's credentials. Mr. Forbes had been a widower for several years, and had been married to a sister of the late Mrs. McKay, Bella's mother. Charlie was warmly received by the advocate, who introduced him to his family, which consisted of three grown-up daughters, of very attractive appearance, particularly the youngest, a co-age of her cousin Bella, and who bore a most remarkable likeness to her, the only difference being that Catherine's hair and eyes were a shade lighter, but in other respects, even to her voice and movements, the resemblance was so great that Charlie thought himself in the company of his lost Bella, while listening to the sweet and musical voice of her cousin.
A confidence sprung up between the young couple, which soon increased to love, on the part of Catherine, who, in her simplicity, interpreted the Highlander's partiality to herself to that passion.
Charlie was a little disappointed when, alluding to Bella in their conversation, to find that she had never mentioned his name when Mr. McKay and herself called on their way to London, although a mutual engagement was made between them to keep up a confidential correspondence.
The unintentional impression which Charlie had made upon the heart of Catherine Forbes may be better understood by her first letter to Bella, of which the following is a copy:—
"My Dear Cousin Bella—Your welcome letter, informing me of your safe arrival, came duly to hand. I little suspected when we parted, and promised each other to communicate our secrets, that I should so soon have one to confess. Yes; even in the short time which has elapsed your poor simple cousin has literally lost her heart; and who do you think has been the involuntarily robber? No other than your handsome (and as he terms himself) your old playfellow, Charles Edward Stuart—what a lovely name!
​"You little prude, how is it that you never mentioned that you had such a charming neighbour? But what puzzles me still more is, that you have not fallen in love with him long ago; but there is no accounting for you Highland girls; I really believe your cold climate has some influence on your hearts; and besides, you are so close, and never sing your love to the winds like us simple Lowland lassies.
"I never met with a young gentleman to whom I could compare Mr. Stuart; so kind and unassuming, and yet so noble and manly in his manners. You may think it vanity on my part, when I tell you that I flatter myself that he pays more attention to your humble servant than he does to my more attractive sisters. We often talk of you, and he confirms what others have stated, that we are so much alike. He is studying for the bar, and papa anticipates that he will distinguish himself. How I love papa when he says so. You will perhaps smile at my nonsense; but when you are pierced with Cupid's dart, like I am, you will be equally silly. How is it that you hate Lord Lundy so? Such a fine-looking man, and such a splendid match; but for all that, I don't think I would exchange C. E. S. for him, providing I was sure of becoming Mrs. C. E. S. Your affectionate cousin,
"Catherine Forbes."
As Catherine remarked, Bella was indeed too close, or rather too modest to confess her love; she considered it too sacred to be expressed by human lips, much less to commit it to paper. But what was the state of her feelings on perusing her innocent and unreserved cousin's letter?
Would that she herself had been so confiding, and revealed the state of her heart, which might have prevented her cousin encouraging a hopeless passion. Hopeless, did she say? What if Catherine's love was returned? She was afraid to ask herself the question. Whom could she blame, when she had left without giving a hint of her intended departure? And what would Charlie think of her leaving in company with him who they both hated? Oh, that she could now explain all, and leave the blame at her father's door. It was now too late; the die was cast, and she must be the sufferer. Her fair and unreserved cousin would gain the prize which she herself had thought was safely locked in her own bosom. Yes, it must be so, for Charlie could not but return her ingenuous and charming cousin's love, when his old playfellow did not as much as bid him adieu! She must now bury her disappointment in the gaities around her, and obliterate, in the ​brilliant assemblies into which she was now being daily introduced, her hopeless and romantic first love.
Vain reasoning: she little dreamt what a sacrifice that course would cost her. She knew not what a deep root her affections had taken, and which ages of such life could not heal. The following reply to her cousin's letter will give some slight idea of her feelings:—
"My Dear Catherine,—Your welcome and interesting letter is now before me. It gives me great pleasure to know that you have made me the confidant of your first love, and I must thus early state that the object is well deserving.
"You wonder that I did not mention Mr. Stuart in our conversation, but I can assure you it was not through any want of appreciation of his many qualities that I omitted to mention him; for, to use your own words I have never, nor do I, expect to meet with any gentleman equal to him in all that is good and noble. I am now surrounded by the most exalted and fashionable gentlemen which England can produce, but I would rather have one moment of that innocent and rural amusement passed in the company of Charlie Stuart, in our Highland home, than pass a lifetime surrounded by the gaities and festivities of London society. But, alas! such happy times I fear will ne'er return. However, I have one consolation, that that happiness which is denied me, is reserved for my more fortunate and charming cousin.
"You are surprised at my indifference to Lord Lundy's addresses. I will just put a question to you which will at once explain the reason. Could you accept any man, however exalted, if you did not feel for him that attachment which you now entertain for Charlie Stuart? Your affectionate cousin,
"B. M'Kay."
Catherine Forbes was too much taken up with her own love to detect the indirect hints given in the letter, although a sharper and more experienced eye could easily see and understand such sentiments. However, she was 'cute enough to keep all the contents from her supposed lover, Charlie Stuart; not through any jealousy, but rather a shade of selfishness, in order that she might monopolise all his thoughts.
Thus they carried on their correspondence without Bella ever clearing up the cause of her despondency; and Catherine grew more poetical in her praises of Charles, enumerating with wonderful preciseness all his little attentions towards her, which added so much to Bella's dejection that her communications flagged, and eventually entirely ceased.
​Bella was strictly true in her remarks on the fashionable and gay company with which she daily mixed; for never had a girl in her station, and at her age, had the same advantageous and brilliant career before them. A doating and wealthy Uncle, without any family upon whom he could bestow his affections; a handsome and affectionate brother, who now held a commission under Captain Somerville, in the Guards, through the influence of Lord Lundy, and who had introduced her and her relations into the highest circles.
Yet, with all these brilliant prospects before her, Bella was not happy; the only pleasure she had was in the solitude of her own chamber,—with her maid, indulging in fond remembrances of the many happy hours passed in the company of Charlie Stuart.
Her father left London after a short stay, leaving his fond, but unhappy, daughter, with her Uncle for the term of two years, at the expiration of which she was to become the bride of Lord Lundy.
Charlie having now become a constant and favourite visitor at the Forbes's, was considered almost a member of the family by all, particularly Catherine, with whom he always held a long conversation. Bella McKay's silence was attributed by the young couple to high notions which she had cultivated through mixing with the aristocracy; and, above all, the prospect of an exalted connection.
Among the visitors at the Forbes's was a Captain Campbell, belonging to one of the Highland regiments at that time stationed at the Castle, the Captain was a specimen of those jolly Highland officers whose only fault, if fault it can be called, was in indulging (particularly over his whisky toddy) in a little bombast, extolling the feats and bravery of his own clan. This harmless bravado was often brought to an amusing termination by our old acquaintance, John Lom, who had lately joined the same regiment, introducing the Battle of Inverlochy, where the Campbells suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of the McDonalds, and other clans under Montrose. The account, as rendered by the mischievous Ensign, always set the company in roars of ​laughter, in which the Captain himself was obliged to join, after which he became greatly attached to his young tormentor. The Captain, who was a bachelor, paid marked attention to the elder Miss Forbes, by which means he and Charlie became great cronies, which not a little annoyed John Lom, who had not been introduced by either to the family. This dog-in-the-manger conduct, as John Lom called it, proceeded from the Captain's fearing the rivalship of the handsome Ensign if once presented to the Forbes's.
One evening, while the three friends were discussing a tumbler of hot punch, Charlie gave the officers an amusing account of an old and eccentric uncle of the Forbes's, whom he once saw at Mr. McKay's. This strange person had been a captain in the Company's service in India, where he had accumulated a large fortune, and where he also obtained the name of being the greatest duellist and most certain shot in that part. His name was John McDonald, and was known by the sobriquet "Fighting Jack." Charlie was told that he had never visited the Forbes's, neither had the advocate ever seen him; the only time he visited Scotland was when Charlie saw him at Mr. McKay's, and, although the speaker was then very young, "Fighting Jack's" appearance was still fresh in his memory, and which he minutely described to his hearers.
Captain Campbell was highly delighted with Charlie's news, and hoped that he might some day meet with this wealthy relation, and be induced to bestow a slice of his riches on Miss Forbes, the Captain's intended.
The conversation now turned upon a private ball, which was to be given next evening, in honor of Miss Forbes having attained her twentieth birthday. The Captain was in ecstacies; being, as he thought, the leading and greatest favorite, that he would hold the highest position on the occasion, and commenced as usual to twitt the disappointed Ensign for not being on the same intimate footing as himself and Charlie. At this teasing, John Lom offered to lay a wager that he would go to the ball uninvited, be more hospitably received than any one there by the host, kiss the daughters, and get ​Captain Campbell in a rage. This bravado was first considered by the Captain and Charlie as mere bounce, produced by disappointment and irratibility; but, on seeing John thoroughly bent upon the wager, the Captain took it up—the one laying his best horse against the other's. These conditions being settled, the party, after partaking of another tumbler, separated, the Captain and Charlie to meet next evening at the ball.
A select assembly congregated at the Advocate's on the appointed evening; Captain Campbell, who appeared in full regimentals, led the dance, with the heroine of the evening: all the party were in the height of enjoyment. In the first pause in the dance, and as the gallant Captain was conducting his partner to her seat, a servant entered the room with a small note for the host, who, upon reading it, sprung up somewhat agitated, and passed the letter to his daughter, saying, "I suppose you will understand who the writer of that is." Miss Forbes showed the note to the Captain, which ran as follows:—
"My Dear Brother-in-law,—You will be rather surprised at the unexpected arrival of one whom you never saw. I have just arrived, and on inquiry I heard that you are having a little jollification with your friends, which I hope my presence will not interrupt, unless they wish to have a turn up with
"Fighting Jack."
Captain Campbell was greatly delighted when he found that the writer was the eccentric Captain John M'Donald, whom Charlie had described the previous evening.
The Advocate and his daughters smiled, and were consulting as to the best mode of receiving their wealthy Uncle, who might possibly improve their circumstances by leaving a portion of his wealth to them, if they should be fortunate enough to make a favorable impression.
They were not allowed much time for their deliberations, for the servant at the door called out "Captain John M'Donald, of the East India Company's Service," when a tall, gaunt, straight old gentleman, with long white hair, green spectacles, or goggles, shaven yellow face, black clothes, and a gold-headed cane, stalked into the room.
​Mr Forbes met him, and with a hearty shake of both hands, gave the stranger a warm reception, expressing the great satisfaction he felt in receiving a visit from his gallant and brave brother-in-law. "Ha! so you are glad to see Fighting Jack, are you? But where are my charming nieces, of whom I have heard so much?—I am longing to embrace them."
The subjects of these flattering remarks were standing behind their father, whispering and blushing on hearing the anxiety he felt to embrace them, being not a little embarrassed through having to be embraced before a roomful of guests. However, as there was a great stake in the case, they endeavoured to make a favorable impression on the nabob; and therefore advanced, each in succession, saluting "Fighting Jack" with a kiss.
Mr. Forbes introduced him to several of the company, and was most particular in introducing him to Captain Campbell, who appeared, extremely happy in making the Indian officer's acquaintance, for special reasons, and seemed resolved to monopolise his company during the evening.
As Captain Jack seemed careless about dancing, a select few formed themselves into a group around him in another part of the room, for the purpose of having a Gaelic song, which the new-comer proposed and appeared very partial to, there being several of the party conversant with that language, among whom were the advocate and his daughters, Captain Campbell, Charlie, and a few others. A circle was accordingly formed, and handkerchiefs stretched between them in true Highland fashion, in order to keep up the chorus. Captain Jack proposed to give them a favourite song of his own, to commence with, to the great delight of Captain Campbell, who took a seat beside him, with the older Miss Forbes on the other side.
After a few preliminary coughs, to clear his voice, Captain Jack commenced, in a key which would defy the most powerful and youthful lungs in the company to compete with; but, horror of horrors! what was their consternation, especially the Forbes', on hearing, in Capt. Jack's favourite song, the forbidden and dreaded, satire ​to the Campbells, "The Battle of Inverlochy," composed by that memorable bard, John Lom, in which the signal and ignominious defeat of the Campbells is set forth in language unparalleled. Those of my readers who have heard or read the song can well imagine the consternation which prevailed on hearing the verses sung in the presence of Captain Campbell, who was very touchy on clannish matters, more particularly when they were alluded to in the presence of his intended bride. It was in vain they coughed, and then hinted to the unguarded singer the great mistake he had made; for the louder they coughed the louder Fighting Jack roared out the dreaded satire, abusing the choristors for their want of etiquette in not supporting him in such a popular ballad.
The thunderstricken and enraged Campbell managed to curb his wrath, on pecuniary grounds. He broke out, however, when he heard the words, "Ma dhith iad cal chuir sibh asd e," and sprang up, declaring that he would not listen to such language from his own father. An awkward confusion took place, during which Fighting Jack stood up and confronted the enraged Campbell, coolly informing him, that if he was in the least degree annoyed, he, Fighting Jack, would give him ample satisfaction the following morning, at any time and place he chose; then, picking up his hat and cane, he strutted out of the room, leaving the spectators speechless, not knowing how to act.
Captain Campbell held duelling in great dread, and having heard of the invincibility of Fighting Jack in that art, wished he had bore the dreaded satire sooner than be made a target for his adversary's bullets.
The company were not allowed much time to meditate on the best means of restoring peace between the belligerents, when a servant entered with a note to Campbell, which in the present state of his mind he was unable to peruse with becoming steadiness; he therefore handed it to Charlie, who was near him, being almost positive of its contents—feeling certain that it was a challenge from Fighting Jack.
Charlie, at the request of the company, read aloud the following lines:—
​"I have been the most hospitably received guest this evening; have kissed the daughters, and got the Captain in a rage, according to the wager. John Lom."
The duped Campbell now vowed vengeance on the devoted head of the mischievous Ensign, who had so successfully won his best horse, and had played such a trick on the host and his daughters.
The Advocate felt annoyed at the part he and his daughters had been compelled so conspicuously to act, but considering the wager, and the account given by several of the company of the character of the perpetrator, he became more pacified in his intentions towards him, ultimately treating the affair as an excellent joke, in which the Captain joined.
Miss Forbes and Catherine felt rather annoyed and ashamed when they considered the freedom to which they had been subjected by the Ensign's tricks. Not so Matilda, the second daughter, who was of a lively temperament, and a great admirer of bold and daring feats performed by young men. Her love of novelty and fun made her coincide with the perpetrator of the trick, who so successfully passed himself off as her own eccentric uncle; and hearing from Charlie the mischievous propensities of his friend, she had a great wish to be introduced to him.
Nor were John's impressions regarding the lively Matilda less favourable, judging from what he told Charlie the next day, when speaking on the subject, and in his own poetical terms replied to Charlie's question as to what he thought of the Misses Forbes;—"For all the stateliness and elegance of Miss Forbes, the bewitching simplicity of your adorable Catherine, give me the lively and witty Matilda; a sort of lurking mischief flashes from her sparkling eyes, which has produced an echo in my heart, that whispers—'John, that's your prize; if you gain possession of her you will be able to surmount any obstacle, however daring.' Yes, Charlie, I surrender myself as her prisoner."
It cannot be a matter of surprise that those inventive and lively minds soon found means, through Charlie's mediation, of making each other's acquaintance, which ​soon ripened into love, although John had not sufficient courage to encounter the advocate at his own residence, not being positive that he had quite forgiven the trick which had been played upon him.