The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-04-17
"sir-Mr. Kendall" interrupted Ben

"sir-Mr. Kendall" interrupted Ben
ton.
"Who speaks now, In 7"
at is /, sir, James Benton you sure
ly cannot have forgotten"
His face grew more ghastly as he
strained open his dull blood-shot eyes.
"Well, and what would you with met"
81 come to assist you--you nre ! fear
very much hurt"
"You fear--you would assist he NUT
tered; ''you whom have injured SO
deeply"
81 understand you not--let me raise
your head, and give you this--it will re-
vive you"
"No, no-do not touch me-" he an
swered, but grasped the cup which was
held to him, and drained it to the bot
tom he breathed more freely.
"You at least are kind-you of all
whom l have known, do not loath ne :
though your father did,"
"DId you know him 2" quickly asked
Benton. 2.
AYE :---better for both if l had not.
Listen, young man, for my time is short
mo interruption, sir, but listen. 1,
matters not how became what have
been--a man of blood You re-
member the burning of the Rappahan-
mock plantation ?---no, but you have
heard of it often It was there your pa
rents were sacrificed it was burned by
the tribes, instigated as was supposed by
their hostility to the whites. The town
might yet have been but for deeper,
deadIier hostility than theirs, of ono who
wrought upon their frenzy. was the
instigator I; / was the brand that kindled
the burning :--you start--it is true--l
did worse, assisted--disguised as an
Indian, ! shared in the glory ofthat deed
of hell 1t was my own hand--but
no--not yet--What do you think
was my reward from the supposed leader
Of that band of devils--contumely--con-
tempt-preteAded scorn Do you re-
member what became of that far-famed
chief?p
"He was shot by guard in open day
light" ~ =
"That guard was 1. / have assumed
all disguises--all characters, for the fur.
therance ofmy revenge-soldier, citizen
Indian, beast. negro slaye-I have been
all. ] never lost sight ofhim night and
day, where he was, there was l, as sure
ly as his shadow he seemed to have
some indistinct idea Of danger, and bis
watchfulness never abated. l though,
my time would never come but it did
it did--by my hand he fell! Aye, and
ne knew me ere his eyes grew dark for
ever ] That wretch whom you slew
when my life was saved knew it, and he
alone I; he had his own reasons for with
holding that knewledge from his people.
We have long sought each others life,
from that and other causes of inextin.
guishable hatred; and many willy scheme
has been resoMed to by both. He found
me off my guard, and was as you know
nearly successful. You too have
watched /; yet would not--could not
have harmed you. had knowledge Oi
all your motions. have been by your
side. under your very eyes, when you
thought yourself alone-but enough OF
this. You would marry my daughter
hear me through, and then, if you still
wish it, you have my free consent and
may it be some slight reparation for the
evil | have done you. That day when
your town was destroyed, was there
but my hand struck not at feeble victims
l bore a deadly hatred to your parents
] sought them through that scene Of blood
despair, and death! Look not so darkly
on me now ] shall soon be beyond the
reach of human vengeance. l found
them your father knew me and prayed
for mercy he did not know that my heart
was steel--and your angel mother-shs
grasped my raised hand, clinging to i,
madly, despairingly! Ihear her thrilling
cry now ;--hark ! how it rings--damna-
ton, il maddened me! ] thirsted for
blood. ] flung her off, smote hell
how 6erccly :-but could not murder
her. / could not mar her white bosom
but she fell-yes, there was darker
heart than even mine ! saw her after
hacked, mangled, scorched! Furies,
how my brain wheeled See there--see
Hell
IF there is one-and there is--if
for me alone. Look they come again
-off-hold me not-ha E."
The miserable wretch sprung from his
rude couch to bis feet with a super-hu-
man strength, striking furiously at vacan-
cy--then fell his whole length upon the
floor. The borrow stricken Benton lift
ed him up and laid him on the bed ;--hs
gasped and strained open his eyes. but
their sight was gone--they were CHASING
over in death; !; a long and mighty struggle
with nature succeeded (; his voice choked,
his respiration was broken and difficult,