. I cannot say how
singularly I was shaken to recognise the adventurer Harris. I could not
but conclude it was the hand of my lord that had brought him there; and
prolonged my walk in very serious and apprehensive thought. It was late
when I came home, and there was my lord making up his portmanteau for a
voyage.

"Why do you come so late?" he cried. "We leave to-morrow for Albany, you
and I together; and it is high time you were about your preparations."

"For Albany, my lord?" I cried. "And for what earthly purpose?"

"Change of scene," said he.

And my lady, who appeared to have been weeping, gave me the signal to
obey without more parley. She told me a little later (when we found
occasion to exchange some words) that he had suddenly announced his
intention after a visit from Captain Harris, and her best endeavours,
whether to dissuade him from the journey, or to elicit some explanation
of its purpose, had alike proved unavailing.

CHAPTER XI

THE JOURNEY IN THE WILDERNESS

We made a prosperous voyage up that fine river of the Hudson, the
weather grateful, the hills singularly beautified with the colours of
the autumn. At Albany we had our residence at an inn, where I was not so
blind and my lord not so cunning but what I could see he had some design
to hold me prisoner. The work he found for me to do was not so pressing
that we should transact it apart from necessary papers in the chamber of
an inn; nor was it of such importance that I should be set upon as many
as four or five scrolls of the same document. I submitted in appearance;
but I took private measures on my own side, and had the news of the town
communicated to me daily by the politeness of our host. In this way I
received at last a piece of intelligence for which, I may say, I had
been waiting. Captain Harris (I was told) with "Mr. Mountain, the
trader," had gone by up the river in a boat. I would have feared the
landlord's eye, so strong the sense of some complicity upon my master's
part oppressed me. But I made out to say I had some knowledge of the
captain, although none of Mr. Mountain, and to inquire who else was of
the party. My informant knew not; Mr. Mountain had come ashore upon some
needful purchases; had gone round the town buying, drinking, and
prating; and it seemed the party went upon some likely venture, for he
had spoken much of great things he would do when he returned. No more
was known, for none of the rest had come asho