Complete Fictional Works of Washington Irving (Illustrated) (249 page)

Andreas
(A little muzzy, but showing interest)
Faith, the case grows clearer and clearer; but — there is only one little difficulty remains.

Caspar
None that
I
know of.

Andreas
I have not got the place of Ranger, you know.

Caspar
Oh, for the place, we can make
sure
of that!

Andreas
Make sure of it? How? (A slight flash of lightning is seen thro the window).

Caspar
Why, look ye, Andreas! A lad of spirit and mettle like yourself need never despair. It is because men flinch at difficulties that they fail.
(Distant thunder is heard).
Some are impelled in their course by
virtue
(sarcastically)
— some by
fear.
—

Andreas
‘S-blood, man! no one can accuse me of too much
virtue
; and as for
fear,
the Devil himself can’t frighten me — (
A tremendous clap of thunder is heard — a Hash of lightning
—
Urian glares in at the window and passes by).
Zounds! What was that? I tho’t something passed the window.

Caspar
I suppose the Devil heard you and had a mind to try your mettle; but I see, comrade, you were a little frightened.

Andreas
(Swaggering)
Frightened? What — I? Not I, I promise you.’S-blood! I frightened?’S-blood! a’nt I called Daredevil Andreas all thro the forest?

Caspar
Well then, what say you to another glass?
(Fills).
Come, here’s to the Wild Huntsman ——
eh? (Lightning).

Andreas
With all my heart. Damme, I had always a kind of good feeling for that will o’ the wisp fellow, and should like to join one of his hunting parties in the clouds.

Caspar
Faith, you’re the lad I took you for!
(Taps him on the shoulder).
You
shall
have the place and the girl and the six bottles into the bargain, for you deserve them. You shall have them —— I promise you, and that’s enough.

Andreas
‘S-blood, you’re one of the most promising fellows I ever met with; but how will you keep your promise?

Caspar
Nothing more simple — now I see you’ve courage. Thus: you shall shoot tomorrow with magic balls; and then, you know, you cannot miss the mark.

Andreas
Magic balls? Aye, aye — but where to get them?

Caspar
I can provide you, — (
Whispering
).

Andreas
(Growing grave and surprised)
You, Caspar?

Caspar
Aye, lad — this night — this very night. It happens luckily this night the moon’s eclipsed —— that is the only time to cast such balls. At midnight — at the very time when night and morning separate. I know all the spells — an ancient hunter taught me them. How lucky that the moon should be eclipsed tonight! I see you’re born under a happy star. Come, drink, boy; you shall one day be Grand Forester.
(Lightning
).

Andreas
‘S-blood! how the lightning sizzes!

Caspar
Never mind—’twill serve to light us at our work. At twelve we cast the balls — you must assist me. At twelve precisely, meet me in the Wolf’s Glen.
(Tremendous thunder).

Andreas
In the Wolf’s Glen! (
Starting)
— Why, that’s the very place where the Wild Huntsman prowls. Aye, and they say a whole legion of hobgoblins haunt that glen.

Caspar
Whether Saints or Goblins what is’t to us? Are you not called Daredevil Andreas thro the forest?
(Sarcastically).

Andreas
True, true, but can’t we go together? —
(A little anxious).

Caspar
No — I must first prepare alone what’s necessary for the purpose.

Andreas
Well then, at twelve I’ll meet you. (
Lightning).

Caspar
And be silent; a single word would mar our hopes.

Andreas
Depend upon me.

Caspar
(Going)

Till
twelve — farewell. (Exit Caspar. — Tremendous thunder).

Andreas
‘S-blood! this strange talk of Caspar has somewhat sobered me. I don’t half like this business of the Wolf’s Glen. Not that I’m afraid, damme! Daredevil Andreas afraid — that would be a good joke! Rut I don’t like this cooking in the night air, and I’ve not been long enough in the conjuring line to feel easy in it. Egad, I’ll e’en have another pull at the bottle.
(Fills).
If I am to be a conjurer, damme, it shall be a bottle conjurer.

ENTER CHRISTOPHER IN NIGHTGOWN AND SLIPPERS

Christopher
What! still at it, Master Andreas? Shall I bring you another bottle?

Andreas
No, good Christopher. It’s time for sober people like me to go home to bed. (
Looking out of the window
) — Zounds! what a storm is gathering! Harken, good Christopher, no more wine, but a cloak, good Christopher — a good mantle to keep out the rain. Your wine is dry wine, good Christopher, and I wish to keep it dry; so give me a mantle, good Christopher, to keep out the rain. I’ve no idea of making a flask of wine and water of myself. A dry body and a wet soul — that’s my motto; so give me a mantle, honest Chistopher. ‘Twere a pity good liquor should be spoiled. (
During this muzzy speech Christopher goes and returns with mantle
).

Christopher
Here’s one for you, Master Andreas; and a weatherproof one it is, I’ll warrant you — but don’t fail to bring it back in the morning.

Andreas
Never fear, never fear. And now go to bed, old man — go to bed — I hold it a shame that old men should keep such late hours — but what can be expected from a man that passes his whole life in a tavern? (
Exit).

Christopher
(Looking after him)
There he goes — one of the most rattling roaring, rantum-scantum fellows in the whole forest. One of your good-for-nothing chaps that’s nobody’s enemy but his own. He’s a good drinker and that covers a multitude of sins. I love such fellows, — I joy in them. May I never want such a friend, nor a bottle to sell him. But Marian! Marian!
(Enter Marian).
Come — hustle, hustle, girl — clear away the things and make all fast; it’s time we were in bed. But harken, child, what a bother didst thou make this evening about nothing?

Marian
Indeed, father, I can’t abide that Andreas! He’s always pulling one about.

Christopher
Pooh-pooh, child! he means no harm. Mere barroom romping. I’d have thee take care of thyself, child, but be reasonably honest; there is virtue of all kinds — and suited to all conditions. Some stands all on end like a porcupine and stings on every touch. That wont do for us. Virtuous — but be thou as
reasonably
virtuous as befits the daughter of a publican and I’m content.

Marian
(Goes to the window and shuts it)
Dear me, how the wind begins to howl about the house! And there’s such a whistling about the old forest trees. Father, they say the Wild Huntsman has been seen lately.

Christopher
Hush, hush, child! You must not talk on such subjects at night. We are too near the Wolf’s Glen to meddle with its concerns. I dare say the Wild Huntsman is a very worthy kind of gentleman, if he does ride at nights.

Marian
And, father — they say he is the Devil himself.

Christopher
Pooh-pooh, child! — no such thing; and if he was, what’s that to us? We publicans must learn to be civil to all kinds of people; and to give the Devil his due.

Marian
Will you help me out with the table, father?

Christopher
Stop — first let me count the bottles and keep good tally. One — two — three — four — five — six —— so —
(Goes to the slate
) — Let me see, it has been rather a mellow night — Andreas is sometimes troubled with second sight in his cups. I’ve no doubt he saw double tonight, and if so, why, he enjoyed double the quantity of wine. So mark up twelve bottles. And now, my girl, let’s say prayers and to bed.
(Exeunt)

ACT I, SCENE I
II

ENTER ALBERT

Albert
The hand of fate is sure against me. I am almost ready to turn driveller and believe in spells and witchcraft. What! I who scarcely knew what ’twas to fail — whose skill was proverbial among the greybeards of the forest —— now to be surpassed, defeated — to lose all skill — now when everything is at stake, — fame, fortune, Bertha — Oh! tomorrow, tomorrow!

RECITATIVE AND ARIA
(At the end throws himself on the bench at the door of the cottage and hides his face in his hands. Enter Caspar. Stands for some time unobserved by Albert, contemplating him with an air of malicious satisfaction)

Caspar
What, comrade! — lost in thought?

Albert
(Starting up)
Caspar!

Caspar
What! has a little turn of ill luck sunk so deeply in your heart? Pshaw! Give not way to melancholy, man! But how in the name of wonder happens it, that you, the keenest marksman of the forest, should suffer such a paltry shot as Andreas to surpass you? Nay, that for seven days, you should not once have hit your mark. Sure there must be some strange mysterious cause! Have you an enemy?

Albert
None that I know of. Why do you ask the question?

Caspar
Look you, comrade — you heard what that old babbler Christopher suggested. The old man thought some one had practiced spells on you. Our warden is incredulous — but trust me, Albert, I have known such things.

Albert
Absurd! I never will believe such power exists—’tis contrary to common sense and reason.

Caspar
Contrary to reason! Aye, ever since the world began that is the cry of all your would-be wise men. Contrary to reason! And what, forsooth, is reason? What but a feeble taper that just illumes a little space about you, while all beyond is a wide waste of darkness. You think that little space the world of knowledge, but the first whiff of doubt puts out your light, and down goes worldly-wise man. Harkee, comrade!
(Comes up to him
) — I am a solitary man — a little strange perhaps — and wayward in my humours. My pleasure is to walk these wilds alone — to lurk in shades and glens and the deep woods’ dark bosom, where the loud babbling hound or saucy horn ne’er break the charm of silence. ’Tis in these sacred haunts shy Nature opes her mysteries, and to the musing eye of lonely mortals imparts strange secrets. These forest shades are full of wonders, could we read them rightly. In these my wanderings have I learnt some things you wise men scoff at as impossible. Believe me, comrade, there are things — aye,
there is a thing
—
(Checks himself on observing an air of distrust in Albert
) — How far think you may this rifle carry?

Albert
(With a look of surprise)
As far, I suppose, as any other rifle — eight hundred or a thousand yards.

Caspar
And think you at that distance you could kill your game?

Albert
Preposterous! What mean you, Caspar, by such questions?

Caspar
(Without seeming to pay attention to the question, Caspar gazes upwards as if looking for something in the air. Crosses to the rear and returns, muttering between his teeth) Has he then deceived me — No! ’tis there indeed! (He returns, hastily takes Albert by the arm, and points upward) — Look there!

Albert
Where?

Caspar
There — directly over that tall black fir! (
With an air of satisfaction
)—’Tis the great night vulture.

Albert
I see a black speck just against that rosy cloud. Ah! Sure enough — it moves. It may be a night vulture for aught I can distinguish; but what of that?

Caspar
(Fetches Albert’s rifle)
Here, shoot at it!

Albert
Are you mad, or do you deem me so? Why man, ’tis near half a mile high, and now the cloud is fading I can scarcely see it.

Caspar
You will not shoot at it? Then mark!
(Goes to the back of the stage and shoots. A laugh in the air). — Look! here he comes; dost see?

Albert
I see a whirl and fluttering of wings in the midway gloom.
(A great eagle falls at his feet; he starts back with astonishment
—
gazes at it, then at Caspar).
Art thou some Devil clothed in human form?

Caspar
(Affecting a careless air)
A simple hunter like thyself, good comrade; but one who unlike thee, doubts not of everything he cannot understand, nor measures Nature’s powers by scanty reason.
(He takes up the bird and examines it).
’Tis as I thought, the great night vulture — and not ill shot i’faith. The ball has struck just underneath the wing. Here
(to Albert),
you may get it stuff’d, and lay it at your mistress’ feet — or let old Conrad hang it ‘mongst the stag horns in his Hall.
(Albert takes up the vulture as if unconsciously. Caspar crosses, places one of the wing feathers in his hat, then turning suddenly to Albert)
— By the bye — speaking of your mistress — tomorrow decides your loves and fortunes. I’faith, good comrade, you must shoot better than today or you stand little chance either for wife or office.

Albert
Why do you stab me with these cruel doubts? I fear indeed my case is hopeless.

Caspar
Nay, not hopeless — not altogether hopeless.’Tis true the chances are against you — your ill success of late has marr’d your confidence and this shooting for a mistress is not apt to make the hand more steady. The anxiety — the doubt —

Albert
Cease! cease, and do not torture me. (
Leans against a tree in despair).

Caspar
Comrade, I feel for your distress — indeed I do. Poor Bertha too! She who so dotes on you!’Twill break her heart to see you fail.
(Albert evinces great agitation).
And yet this might be averted. Means there are that would insure success — but no, you’d never listen to them!

Albert
(With surprise)
Means to
insure
success! What means, Caspar?

Caspar
Oh nothing — nothing — idle talk —
contrary to reason!
You have never heard of charmed bullets, that are infallible?

Albert
I have — but hold it all for old wives’ gossip.

Caspar
Like enough — like enough —
contrary to reason
—
contrary to reason.
What think you of my bringing down that vulture from the clouds?

Albert
Was, then, your rifle charged with such a ball?
(Caspar smiles).
Speak, I entreat you, was it such a ball?

Caspar
It was! — Now think you — had you some such bullets!

Albert
Have you, then, more of them?

Caspar
That was my last.

Albert
Caspar, don’t trifle with me. I’ve too much at stake to bear this trifling.

Caspar
I am no trifler, comrade. Such balls are to be had — but on condition that — no, ’tis in vain — you’d never pay the price.

Albert
(Impetuously)
What price? Speak out — by heavens! I’ll not endure to have my mind disturbed by hints and vague suggestion.

Caspar
You must engage — you must agree to certain terms — trifling indeed to one whose life —— whose
all
depends upon success — to one whose soul like thine is bold and manly.

Albert
(Impatiently )
No flattery. Proceed — proceed!

Caspar
Aye,
bold and manly
— I say so without flattery. Did I not think thee such, I should have taken no interest in thy fate, but passed thee by like this same rabble rout of hunters that I scorn. Comrade, I speak of things too great for vulgar minds — of things that I have learnt in these dark forests. Believe me, there are mysteries which truly baffle all the force of reason. Such is the intercourse between us mortals and the world of Spirits. (
Laying his hand on Albert’s arm)
— Now, some weak natures tremble if you but name a Spirit!

Albert
(Steadfastly )
Speak out, man! To the point! What is all this to the purpose?

Caspar
I know thee
brave,
comrade — in
common
matters brave — but are you, as I deem you, above
vulgar
fears? Say — dare you hold communion with a spirit of air — a being of another world — who has the power to grant the aid you seek?

Albert
With whom? — What being?

Caspar
Thou hast heard of the Wild Huntsman?

Albert
(With an air of incredulity)
What — he that haunts the glens, and rides in air — the Phantom Hunter — Nimrod of the clouds and shadows — I’ve heard of such a sprite; the forest chronicles are full of him. Some say it is the spirit of a cruel huntsman, doomed for his crimes to wander restless in the night — to ride the storm and hunt about the world till Doomsday; but these are tales I heed not.

Caspar
Such a being there
is
! Mark me —
there is.
I speak not like others — from report;
for I have seen him!

Albert
(With surprise)
Seen him! What is he then?

Caspar
That I know not. A being wrapped in fear and mystery — of powers vast, indefinite; but whether indeed a wizard of the earth, or some embodied phantom of the air — some supernatural agent, is more than I can say. He comes in gleams and shadows — he permits not his nature nor his powers to be questioned — he must be summoned by ceremonies and incantations.

Albert
(With horror)
And are such the means you would propose —— and is this the aid you would invoke!

Caspar
(Hastily interrupting him)
Pah! Pah! Consider, Albert, how thou’rt situated. Tomorrow is thy day of trial. — Tomorrow everything depends upon a chance, and that chance is against thee. What right hast thou to hope for better luck than what has dogged thee lately? Think’st thou a fluttering heart — a faltering hand — will guarantee success? I see thee foil’d, defeated — retiring midst the shrugs, the sneers, the taunts and scoffings of the vulgar throng of which thou’st had today a bitter foretaste. But what is worse —— thy gentle Bertha, she whose whole soul is bound up in thy love — I see her too — in bridal robes — a mark for sneer and jesting — the nuptial wreath turn’d to a crown of scorn — the wedding preparations turn’d to mockery. I see the roses fading from her cheek —

Albert
Oh God! Oh God!

Caspar
Well, I do not seek to torture thee. Let us reverse the picture. With the balls I proffer thee thy fortune is sure. I see thee crowned with triumph. The lovely Bertha decked in smiles and flowers comes blushing to receive thee — the nuptial throng conducts thee to the altar. I see thy dwelling blessed with love and beauty — a little paradise of sweets around thee.

Albert
(Much moved)
But is this being you speak of good or evil?

Caspar
Pah! Is this a time to stand on squeamish points? The happiness, the life of her who
loves thee,
hangs upon the moment. An earthly paradise — a certainty of present bliss is offered to thee. Seize it and trust not to the uncertain future. So thou art happy, think not of the means. Good spirit or bad, what is it to thee, so that the gift be good? For good is good whether from heaven or hell.

Albert
(Starting at the last word)
No gift is good that comes from evil power. Nor can that power be good that walks in darkness. I wake as from a dream. How for a moment have I been beguiled, and laps’d in thought from the strict path of honour! Away! away! I spurn thy proffered services. All magic means, if such there be, I scorn. On heaven and honest skill I rest my hopes, nor seek by juggling arts to cozen fortune.

Caspar
Poor feeble-hearted wretch! — I thought thou hadst more nerve and spirit. But thou art e’en a canting, virtuous driveller, fit only for the common rabble that I scorn. Henceforth I leave thee to thy fortune. But mark me, Sir
(Walks close up to him
) — I’ve talk’d to you in confidence, because I wished to serve you. I have foolishly opened my soul to you. Betray me, if you have the heart to do so; but recollect you must at the same time have the hand to answer for it.

Albert
Away! Away! Thy offer and thy threats are equally contemptible. To heaven I leave thee — I do naught but scorn and pity thee.
(Exit Caspar).

Albert
Thank heaven, he’s gone! The very air seemed tainted by his presence. I blush to think that for a moment I should have listened to his temptings. What were success, gained by unworthy means? Nay, what were Bertha’s self, won by base acts? How could I e’er have borne her angel look? Her heavenly purity had been a ceaseless torment to me. Now can I clasp her to an honest heart and in her virtuous love find heaven on earth. — But are there powers like this he talks of — that move unseen around us and control our fate? Away with anxious doubts and gloomy fears! If there are powers of darkness to befriend bad men, sure there are spirits of light that guard the virtuous. In such I put my trust to bear me through my trial.
(Exit into the cottage)