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dark blue waves。 I care not where I go； so it is
'Where a tyrant never trod； Where a slave was never
known； But where nature worships God； If in the
wilderness alone。'〃
Devenant stood by her side； seeming proud of his future wife； with his
face in a glow at his success； while over his noble brow clustering locks of
glossy black hair were hanging in careless ringlets。 His finely…cut； classic
features wore the aspect of one possessed with a large and noble heart。
Once more the beautiful Clotelle whispered in the ear of her lover；
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〃Away； away； o'er land and sea； America is now no
home for me。〃
The winds increased with nightfall； and impenetrable gloom
surrounded the ship。 The prospect was too uncheering； even to persons
in love。 The attention which Devenant paid to Clotelle； although she had
been registered on the ship's passenger list as his sister； caused more than
one to look upon his as an agreeable travelling companion。 His tall；
slender figure and fine countenance bespoke for him at first sight one's
confidence。 That he was sincerely and deeply enamored of Clotelle all
could see。
The weather became still more squally。 The wind rushed through the
white； foaming waves； and the ship groaned with its own wild and
ungovernable labors； while nothing could be seen but the wild waste of
waters。 The scene was indeed one of fearful sublimity。
Day came and went without any abatement of the storm。 Despair was
now on every countenance。 Occasionally a vivid flash of lightning
would break forth and illuminate the black and boiling surges that
surrounded the vessel； which was now scudding before the blast under
bare poles。
After five days of most intensely stormy weather； the sea settled down
into a dead calm； and the passengers flocked on deck。 During the last three
days of the storm； Clotelle had been so unwell as to be unable to raise her
head。 Her pale face and quivering lips and languid appearance made her
look as if every pulsation had ceased。 Her magnificent large and soft
eyes； fringed with lashes as dark as night； gave her an angelic appearance。
The unreserved attention of Devenant； even when sea…sick himself； did
much to increase the little love that the at first distrustful girl had placed in
him。 The heart must always have some object on which to centre its
affections； and Clotelle having lost all hope of ever again seeing Jerome； it
was but natural that she should now transfer her love to one who was so
greatly befriending her。 At first she respected Devenant for the love he
manifested for her； and for his apparent willingness to make any sacrifice
for her welfare。 True； this was an adventure upon which she had risked her
all； and should her heart be foiled in this search for hidden treasures； her
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affections would be shipwrecked forever。 She felt under great
obligations to the man who had thus effected her escape； and that noble act
alone would entitle him to her love。
Each day became more pleasant as the noble ship sped onward amid
the rippled spray。 The whistling of the breeze through the rigging was
music to the ear； and brought gladness to the heart of every one on board。
At last； the long suspense was broken by the appearance of land； at which
all hearts leaped for joy。 It was a beautiful morning in October。 The sun
had just risen； and sky and earth were still bathed in his soft； rosy glow；
when the Utica hauled into the dock at Bordeaux。 The splendid streets；
beautiful bridges； glittering equipages； and smiling countenances of the
people； gave everything a happy appearance； after a voyage of twenty…nine
days on the deep； deep sea。
After getting their baggage cleared from the custom…house and going
to a hotel； Devenant made immediate arrangements for the marriage。
Clotelle； on arriving at the church where the ceremony was to take place；
was completely overwhelmed at the spectacle。 She had never beheld a
scene so gorgeous as this。 The magnificent dresses of the priests and
choristers； the deep and solemn voices； the elevated crucifix； the burning
tapers； the splendidly decorated altar； the sweet…smelling incense； made
the occasion truly an imposing one。 At the conclusion of the ceremony； the
loud and solemn peals of the organ's swelling anthem were lost to all in
the contemplation of the interesting scene。
The happy couple set out at once for Dunkirk； the residence of the
bridegroom's parents。 But their stay there was short； for they had
scarcely commenced visiting the numerous friends of the husband ere
orders came for him to proceed to India to join that portion of the French
army then stationed there。
In due course of time they left for India； passing through Paris and
Lyons； taking ship at Marseilles。 In the metropolis of France； they spent
a week； where the husband took delight in introducing his wife to his
brother officers in the French army； and where the newly…married couple
were introduced to Louis Philippe； then King of France。 In all of these
positions； Clotelle sustained herself in a most ladylike manner。
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At Lyons； they visited the vast factories and other public works； and
all was pleasure with them。 The voyage from Marseilles to Calcutta was
very pleasant； as the weather was exceedingly fine。 On arriving in India；
Captain Devenant and lady were received with honorsthe former for his
heroic bravery in more than one battle； and the latter for her fascinating
beauty and pleasing manners； and the fact that she was connected with one
who was a general favorite with all who had his acquaintance。 This was
indeed a great change for Clotelle。 Six months had not elapsed since her
exposure in the slave…market of New Orleans。 This life is a stage； and we
are indeed all actors。
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CHAPTER XXVI
THE HERO OF A NIGHT
MOUNTED on a fast horse； with the Quaker's son for a guide；
Jerome pressed forward while Uncle Joseph was detaining the slave…
catchers at the barn…door； through which the fugitive had just escaped。
When out of present danger； fearing that suspicion might be aroused if he
continued on the road in open day； Jerome buried himself in a thick； dark
forest until nightfall。 With a yearning heart； he saw the splendor of the
setting sun lingering on the hills； as if loath to fade away and be lost in the
more sombre hues of twilight； which； rising from the east； was slowly
stealing over the expanse of heaven； bearing silence and repose； which
should cover his flight from a neighborhood to him so full of dangers。
Wearily and alone； with nothing but the hope of safety before him to
cheer him on his way； the poor fugitive urged his tired and trembling limbs
forward for several nights。 The new suit of clothes with which he had
provided himself when he made his escape from his captors； and the
twenty dollars which the young Quaker had slipped into his hand； when
bidding him 〃Fare thee well；〃 would enable him to appear genteelly as
soon as he dared to travel by daylight； and would thus facilitate his
progress toward freedom。
It was late in the evening when the fugitive slave arrived at a small
town on the banks of Lake Erie； where he was to remain over night。 How
strange were his feelings！ While his heart throbbed for that freedom and
safety which C