In this particular, we had
no choice, as the actors were furnished to our hand in the light we have
represented them, as we shall presently show by authenticated history. For
the present, however, we pass to other scenes.--AUTHOR.
CHAPTER IV.
MORE VILLAINY.
From the presence of Miss Fleming, Durant went to an obscure old cabin near
the river, where he met an accomplice in villainy, a tool of his, by the
name of Ramsey, whom he often employed to do hazardous and dirty work, he
himself was too cowardly or too _aristocratic_ to perform. The object of
the present interview was to learn on what boat the Waltons had taken
passage. He was scheming again.
"Ramsey," said he, "what boats have left in the last two weeks to go down
the river?"
"Only three, sir."
"Three! Did you see them all?"
"I did."
"Did you know any of the passengers?"
"I did. Colonel Thomas Marshall commanded one of the boats, with whom there
were a number of Virginians, several of them personally known to me."
"Was there a family by the name of Walton among them?"
"Walton--Walton? I don't know them."
"A father, mother and daughter; the girl eighteen, and uncommonly good
looking--present a much richer appearance than is usual with emigrants."
"I remember them; they went in another boat.
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