Are you quite well now, Dionysius?
Quite well, sir, and my back is like whalebone.
Try it.
Hereupon Dionysius threw two somersets forward, two backward, walked across the stage on his hands, and tumbled in every direction.
You see, gentlemen, Im quite well now, and what I have said, I assure you, on my honour, to be a fact.
I hope youll allow that to be a very pretty cure, said the doctor, appealing to the audience; and I hardly need say, that for sprains, bruises, contusions, wrenches, and dislocations, this plaster is infallible; and I will surprise you more by telling you, that I can sell it for eight-pence a sheet.
The plaster went off rapidly, and was soon expended. The doctor went on describing his other valuable articles, and when he came to his cosmetics, etcetera, for women, we could not hand them out fast enough. And now, said the doctor. I must bid you farewell for this evening.
Im glad of that, said Timothy, for now I mean to sell my own medicine.
Your medicine, Mr Dionysius! what do you mean by that?
Mean, sir; I mean to say that Ive got a powder of my own contriving, which is a sovereign remedy.
Remedy, sir, for what?
Why, its a powder to kill fleas, and whats more, its just as infallible as your own.
Have you, indeed; and pray, sir, how did you hit upon the invention?
Sir, I discovered it in my sleep by accident; but I have proved it, and I will say, if properly administered, it is quite as infallible as any of yours. Ladies and gentlemen, I pledge you my honour that it will have the effect desired, and all I ask is sixpence a powder.
But how is it to be used, sir?
Usedwhy, like all other powders; but I wont give the directions till I have sold some; promising, however, if my method does not succeed, to return the money.
Well, that is fair, Mr Dionysius; and I will take care that you keep your bargain. Will anybody purchase the fools powder for killing fleas.
Yes, I will, replied a man on the broad grin, heres sixpence. Now, then, fool, how am I to use it?
Use it, said Timothy, putting the sixpence in his pocket; Ill explain to you. You must first catch the flea, hold him so tight between the forefinger and thumb as to force him to open his mouth; when his mouth is open you must put a very little of this powder into it, and it will kill him directly.
Why, when I have the flea as tight as you state, I may as well kill him myself.
Very true, so you may, if you prefer it; but if you do not, you may use this powder, which upon my honour is infallible.
This occasioned a great deal of mirth among the bystanders. Timothy kept his sixpence, and our exhibition for this day ended, very much to the satisfaction of Melchior, who declared he had taken more than ever he had done before in a whole week. Indeed, the whole sum amounted to 17 pounds, 10 shillings, all taken in shillings and sixpences, for articles hardly worth the odd shillings in the account; so we sat down to supper with anticipations of a good harvest, and so it proved. We stayed four days at this town, and then proceeded onwards, when the like success attended us, Timothy and I being obliged to sit up nearly the whole night to label and roll up pills, and mix medicines, which we did in a very scientific manner. Nor was it always that Melchior presided; he would very often tell his audience that business required his attendance elsewhere, to visit the sick, and that he left the explanation of his medicines and their properties to his pupil, who was far advanced in knowledge. With my prepossessing appearance, I made a great effect, more especially among the ladies, and Timothy exerted himself so much when with me, that we never failed to bring home to Melchior a great addition to his earningsso much so, that at last he only showed himself, pretended that he was so importuned to visit sick persons, that he could stay no longer, and then leave us after the first half hour, to carry on the business for him. After six weeks of uninterrupted success, we returned to the camp which, as usual, was not very very far off.
Part 1Chapter XVI
Important News, but not communicatedA Dissolution or Partnership takes Place.
Melchiors profits had been much more than he anticipated, and he was very liberal to Timothy and myself; indeed, he looked upon me as his right hand, and became more intimate and attached every day. We were, of course, delighted to return to the camp, after our excursion. There was so much continued bustle and excitement in our peculiar profession, that a little quiet was delightful; and I never felt more happy than when Fleta threw herself into my arms, and Nattée came forward with her usual dignity and grace, but with more than usual condescendence and kindness, bidding me welcome home. Homealas! it was never meant for my home, or poor Fletasand that I felt. It was our sojourn for a time, and no more.
We had been more than a year exercising our talents in this lucrative manner, when one day, as I was sitting at the entrance to the tent, with a book in my hand, out of which Fleta was reading to me, a gipsy not belonging to our gang made his appearance. He was covered with dust, and the dew drops, hanging on his dark forehead, proved that he had travelled fast. He addressed Nattée, who was standing by, in their own language, which I did not understand; but I perceived that he asked for Melchior. After an exchange of a few sentences, Nattée expressed astonishment and alarm, put her hands over her face, and removed them as quickly, as if derogatory in her to show emotion, and then remained in deep thought. Perceiving Melchior approaching, the gipsy hastened to him, and they were soon in animated conversation. In ten minutes it was over: the gipsy went to the running brook, washed his face, took a large draught of water, and then hastened away and was soon out of sight.
Melchior, who had watched the departure of the gipsy slowly approached us. I observed him and Nattée as they met as I was certain that something important had taken place. Melchior fixed his eyes upon Nattéeshe looked at him mournfullyfolded her arms, and made a slight bow as if in submission, and in a low voice quoted from the Scriptures, Whither thou goest, I will gothy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. He then walked away with her: they sat down apart, and were in earnest conversation for more than an hour.
Japhet, said Melchior to me, after he had quitted his wife, what I am about to tell you will surprise you. I have trusted you with all I dare trust anyone, but there are some secrets in every mans life which had better be reserved for himself and her who is bound to him by solemn ties. We must now part. In a few days this camp will be broken up, and these people will join some other division of the tribe. For me, you will see me no more. Ask me not to explain, for I cannot.
And Nattée, said I.
Will follow my fortunes, whatever they may beyou will see her no more.
For myself I care not, Melchior; the world is before me, and remain with the gipsies without you I will not: but answer me one questionwhat is to become of little Fleta? Is she to remain with the tribe, to which she does not belong, or does she go with you?
Melchior hesitated. I hardly can answer; but what consequence can the welfare of a soldiers brat be to you?
Allowing her to be what you assert, Melchior, I am devotedly attached to that child, and could not bear that she should remain here. I am sure that you deceived me in what you stated; for the child remembers, and has told me, anecdotes of her infancy, which proves that she is of no mean family, and that she has been stolen from her friends.
Melchior hesitated. I hardly can answer; but what consequence can the welfare of a soldiers brat be to you?
Allowing her to be what you assert, Melchior, I am devotedly attached to that child, and could not bear that she should remain here. I am sure that you deceived me in what you stated; for the child remembers, and has told me, anecdotes of her infancy, which proves that she is of no mean family, and that she has been stolen from her friends.
Indeed, is her memory so good? replied Melchior, firmly closing his teeth. To Nattée or to me she has never hinted so much.
That is very probable; but a stolen child she is, Melchior, and she must not remain here.
Must not!
Yes; must not, Melchior: when you quit the tribe, you will no longer have any power, nor can you have any interest about her. She shall then chooseif she will come with me, I will take her, and nothing shall prevent me; and in so doing I do you no injustice, nor do I swerve in my fidelity.
How do you know that? I may have my secret reasons against it.
Surely you can have no interest in a soldiers brat, Melchior?
Melchior appeared confused and annoyed. She is no soldiers brat: I acknowledge, Japhet, that the child was stolen; but you must not, therefore, imply that the child was stolen by me or by my wife.
I never accused you, or thought you capable of it; and that is the reason why I am now surprised at the interest you take in her. If she prefers to go with you, have no more to say, but if not, I claim her; and if she consents, will resist your interference.
Japhet, replied Melchior after a pause, we must not quarrel now that we are about to part. I will give you an answer in half an hour.
Melchior returned to Nattée, and recommenced a conversation with her, while I hastened to Fleta.
Fleta, do you know that the camp is to be broken up, and Melchior and Nattée leave it together?
Indeed! replied she with surprise. Then what is to become of you and Timothy?
We must of course seek our fortunes where we can.
And of me? continued she, looking me earnestly in the face with her large blue eyes. Am I to stay here? continued shewith alarm in her countenance.
Not if you do not wish it, Fleta: as long as I can support you I willthat is, if you would like to live with me in preference to Melchior.
If I would like, Japhet! you must know I would like,who has been so kind to me as you? Dont leave me, Japhet.
I will not, Fleta; but on condition that you promise to be guided by me, and to do all I wish.
To do what you wish is the greatest pleasure that I have, Japhetso I may safely promise that. What has happened?
That I do not know more than yourself: but Melchior tells me that he and Nattée quit the gipsy tents for ever.
Fleta looked round to ascertain if anyone was near us, and then in a low tone said, I understand their language, Japhet, that is, a great deal of it, although they do not think so, and I overheard what the gipsy said in part, although he was at some distance. He asked for Melchior; and when Nattée wanted to know what he wanted, he answered that he was dead; then Nattée covered up her face. I could not hear all the rest, but there was something about a horse.
He was dead. Had then Melchior committed murder, and was obliged to fly the country? This appeared to me to be the most probable, when I collected the facts in my possession; and yet I could not believe it: for except that system of deceit necessary to carry on his various professions, I never found anything in Melchiors conduct which could be considered as criminal. On the contrary, he was kind, generous, and upright in his private dealings, and in many points proved that he had a good heart. He was a riddle of inconsistency, it was certain; professionally he would cheat anybody, and disregard all truth and honesty but in his private character he was scrupulously honest, and with the exception of the assertion relative to Fletas birth and parentage, he had never told me a lie, that I could discover. I was summing up all these reflections in my mind, when Melchior again came up to me, and desiring the little girl to go away, he said, Japhet, I have resolved to grant your request with respect to Fleta, but it must be on conditions.
Let me hear them.
First, then, Japhet, as you always have been honest and confiding with me, tell me now what are your intentions. Do you mean to follow up the profession which you learnt under me, or what do you intend to do?
Honestly, then, Melchior, I do not intend to follow up that profession, unless driven to it by necessity. I intend to seek my father.
And if driven to it by necessity, do you intend that Fleta shall aid you by her acquirements? In short, do you mean to take her with you as a speculation, to make the most of her, to let her sink, when she arrives at the age of woman, into vice and misery?
I wonder at your asking me that question, Melchior; it is the first act of injustice I have received at your hands. No; if obliged to follow up the profession, I will not allow Fleta so to do. I would sooner that she were in her grave. It is to rescue her from that very vice and misery, to take her out of a society in which she never ought to have been placed, that I take her with me.
And this upon your honour?
Yes, upon my honour. I love her as my sister, and cannot help indulging in the hope that in seeking my father I may chance to stumble upon hers.
Melchior bit his lips. There is another promise I must exact from you, Japhet, which is, that to a direction which I will give you, every six months you will enclose an address where you may be heard of, and also intelligence as to Fletas welfare and health.
To that I give my cheerful promise; but, Melchior, you appear to have taken, all at once, a strange interest in this little girl.
I wish you now to think that I do take an interest in her, provided you seek not to inquire the why and the wherefore. Will you accept of funds for her maintenance?
Not without necessity compels me; and then I should be glad to find, when I can no longer help her, that you are still her friend.
Recollect, that you will always find what is requisite by writing to the address which I shall give you before we part. That point is now settled, and on the whole I think the arrangement is good.
Timothy had been absent during the events of the morningwhen he returned, I communicated to him what had passed, and was about to take place.
Well, Japhet, I dont knowI do not dislike our present life, yet I am not sorry to change it; but what are we to do?
That remains to be considered: we have a good stock of money, fortunately, and we must husband it till we find what can be done.
We took our suppers all together for the last time, Melchior telling us that he had determined to set off the next day. Nattée looked very melancholy, but resigned; on the contrary, little Fleta was so overjoyed, that her face, generally so mournful, was illuminated with smiles whenever our eyes met. It was delightful to see her so happy. The whole of the people in the camp had retired, and Melchior was busy making his arrangements in the tent. I did not feel inclined to sleep; I was thinking and revolving in my mind my prospects for the future; sitting, or rather lying down, for I was leaning on my elbow, at a short distance from the tents. The night was dark but clear, and the stars were brilliant. I had been watching them, and I thought upon Melchiors ideas of destiny, and dwelling on the futile wish that I could read mine, when I perceived the approach of Nattée.