CHAPTER XXVI.
THE MAJOR HARD PRESSED.
On the first favourable opportunity, Charlie, accompanied by his incognito Bella, proceeded to Sydney, where they found Mr. McKay dangerously ill. The meeting which took place between him and his long-lamented niece was most affecting. An alteration in her favour was instantly made in his will, by which she was left all his wealth. A clergyman was sent for, and the marriage of Charlie and Bella, was solemnized at once.
The ceremony took place near the death-bed of the worthy man, giving the whole an unusually solemn appearance. The clergyman, immediately after the marriage, administered the last rites to the invalid, who after breathing a blessing on the young couple, passed away without a struggle.
After consigning Mr. McKay's remains to the tomb, Charlie returned to the new country for a short time to give delivery of his station to the new proprietor, having disposed of the whole when in Sydney. Having settled all his business, he again started for Sydney, taking with him Donald and Mary, with their family, as well as Quandak, Maria, and Takawarrant, who were anxious to go with him. He then sold Mr. McKay's interest in the business in Sydney (which now belonged to Bella), and after having arranged all his business in Australia, he took passages in the first ship sailing for England, bidding farewell for ever to the sunny shores of the south.
The class of vessels which were now trading between Great Britain and the colonies, were more expeditious and comfortable than those used at the time they came out.
On arriving in London, they took private lodgings, neither Charlie or his wife wishing to mix in society. Bella noticed one morning at breakfast-time, that her husband, on reading that day's Times, became greatly interested in some article which had arrested his attention, but when Bella asked him what it was, he did not give her a direct answer, but told her he would surprise her one day, and having cut something out of the paper, he took up his hat, saying he should not return until evening. Bella contented herself for the present, remarking that whatever secret was kept from her, she knew was perfectly satisfactory, as Charlie appeared in good spirits, although he absented himself for a portion of several days, at the end of which he expressed his intention of visiting Scotland.
After a speedy journey by rail, they arrived in Edinburgh, where they found Advocate Forbes and his family in the enjoyment of good health; the daughters still unmarried, but all of them engaged, and on the eve wedded life, both the eldest to their old lovers, Captain Campbell, and John Lom, now Major Campbell, and Captain McDonnell, who had lately returned from India with honours, having distinguished themselves in the Afghan war. Catherine was engaged to her cousin, George McKay, who was still agent for Lord Lundy on the Lochlinn estate. The last-mentioned, according, to accounts, turned out to be one of the most unprincipled profligates in the United Kingdom, and was fast running through the only property he had left, as his father had disinherited him on account of his fearful character. The spendthrift, Lord Lundy, lived mostly in the Highlands, and the Forbes' were in great fear, lest his example and company would have any influence upon George McKay. In this apprehension Charlie and Bella joined, and in order to avert such consequences, they proposed a visit to the Highlands at once, or as soon as the marriages of the two elder Miss Forbes' had taken place.
We may imagine the joy experienced by the officers when Charlie paid his first visit to the castle, meeting once more on the old spot after years of trouble and hardship. Great interest was manifested as each recounted his exploits, and the major was in ecstacies at Charlie's New Zealand and Australian life; remarking with delight to his friend the captain:—"It beats Afghan hollow." But on hearing that Charlie had brought with him several implements of war and other curiosities, particularly the aboriginal couple and boy, his delight knew no bounds, and he proposed to call at Mr. Forbes' next day and see them.
The day after, Charlie, Bella, Miss Forbes, and Catherine enjoyed themselves by taking a walk in the forenoon, while Matilda remained at home. On their return, expecting a visit from the officers, the party, on approaching the house heard strange sounds proceeding from the sitting-room, and the well-known voice of Major Campbell roaring out:—"Hold you black scoundrels! I'll cut you down, you cannibals! Oh! my side," &c.
The door of the room being open, the party, on entering the passage, beheld a most extraordinary and amusing scene. Major Campbell with a drawn sword, was bailed up in a corner foaming and cursing, while parrying off thrusts made at his corpulent person by a black couple, robed in true Australian fashion, and armed with long spears, when one spear thrust was warded off on one side another attacked him from the other. On seeing the party at the door, he roared out:—"By Jove, Charlie, if you don't withdraw your black forces, I'll sabre them.
The attacking party turned suddenly round, and the females rushed into a side room with a merry laugh which betrayed the person of the mischevious Matilda, her companion in arms being no other than John Lom, as of old, playing off his tricks on the Major.
The following is an account of how the imposition was carried out. The Captain seeing the great anxiety manifested by the Major to see the Australian natives, resolved upon amusing himself at his friend's expense. He therefore forestalled the Major in his visit to the Forbes', and finding only Matilda at home, a plan was immediately arranged, that both should disguise themselves and represent Quandak and Maria. Having secured the assistance of Quandak, Maria, and Donald, they were duly painted and robed, the Captain in a large opossum skin cloak, and Matilda in Bella's squirrel skin dress, each being armed with a long spear.
Being fully prepared, the Major, as anticipated, made his appearance, and not finding anyone at home, he begged the servant (who was put on the alert by the captain) to send in the Australian blacks, in order to amuse himself before the party returned from their walk. The servant having communicated this to the captain and his partner, they immediately entered into the room where the Major was waiting, who, upon seeing the swarthy couple, was highly amused. Patting the female's head, the Major gallantly remarked—"Pity you are so black, with such handsome features," when the imagined husband seemingly jealous at such freedom towards his wife, drew his spear, which compelled the startled Major to seek refuge in a corner; he then drew his sword to defend himself. This action induced the female to join her husband, when both attacked the luckless officer, who, on parrying one blow, received a thrust in his side from the other. It was in this plight the party found him, streaming with perspiration from exercise and fear, anathematising his cruel tormentors, who, on seeing the returned party desisted, to the great relief of the Major, who was greatly annoyed when he discovered the trick.
A few days after this the marriages took place, and the party proposed a trip to the Highlands, to visit George at Kinlochlinn. Charlie and Bella prevailed on Mr. Forbes to allow Catherine to accompany them, that the nuptials between her and George (which had been delayed for some time) should take place, and which would save the latter being carried away by the profligate habits of Lord Lundy.
Hiring a small steamer from the Clyde, the whole party arrived at the entrance of Lochlinn on a beautiful summer's afternoon.
With feelings of joy and happiness, Charlie and his wife viewed all the endearing and well-remembered scenes of their happy childhood. Each spot which recalled many incidents connected with their first love was pointed out by Bella as she rested on her husband's arm, standing on the quarter-deck of the steamer, which glided swiftly through the smooth waters of Lochlinn. But on coming abreast of the rocks which had nearly proved fatal to her on the morning the pony ran away with her, a cold shiver came over her. This feeling soon vanished on coming in sight of the ruins of Ni Ruari's boothy, the delapidated appearance of which told plainly that its mysterious tenant had gone to her long home. The strange revelations made to them by her flew to their memory for the first time since that memorable day, and the remarkable truthfulness of the prophecy now forcibly struck them.
"You are perfectly right, she would tell a person's fortune to a T," exclaimed Mary, who, with her husband, was indulging in the same reminiscences.