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It would be an insult to the gallant dead whose blood watered the fields of the South, for Philip Hardin to take the "iron-clad oath" required now of practitioners. Respected for his abilities, feared by his adversaries, shunned for his pro-secession views, Philip Hardin walks alone.
There was a powerful party who still affected to consider this war unnecessary, and every impediment was placed in the way of its success, which that party could devise. To prove to them that the government was still disposed to peace, two excellent officers and valuable men, Col. Hardin, and Major Truman, were severally despatched with propositions of peace.
On riding down the Visitacion valley their eyes are greeted with the sight of the first ocean steamers. A thousand new-comers throng the streets. Maxime finds a home in the abode of Hardin. His cottage stands on a commanding lot, bought some time before. Letters from "Belle Etoile" delight the wanderer. He learns of the well-being of his friends.
"I never knew of his will," replies Armand. "I want you, Colonel, to meet my old friend Pere Francois, who was the priest at this Lagunitas. He tells me, a Judge Hardin has charge of all the property." Joe Woods drops the knife with which he is cutting the tip of his imperial cigar. "By Heavens! If that old wolf has got his claws on it, it's a long fight. I'll see your Padre. I knew him.
You know what old times were." Colonel Joe grins with a twinge of conscience. He has had his "beaux-jours." "I will hold on till the limitation runs out. I don't want to cloud the title to my mine, with litigation. It comes through Valois." "You never heard of any Eastern heirs?" Joe remarks, gulping a "stiffener" of brandy. "Never," says Hardin, reaching for his hat and cane.
At the same time the Kentuckians, under Hardin and Patton, stumbled by accident on a party of Indians, some of whom were friendly Piankeshaws and some hostile Miamis. They attacked them without making any discrimination between friend and foe, killed six, wounded seven, and drove off the remainder. The two contradict one another as to which side was to blame.
Like other politicians of the time, he used all proper means to attain his object. A package of letters, written during the preliminary canvass, which have recently come into our hands, show how intelligent and how straightforward he was in the ways of politics. He had no fear of Baker; all his efforts were directed to making so strong a show of force as to warn Hardin off the field.
The great lawyer he relies on states plausibly this entire willingness to such a relief, and requests the Court to appoint a successor to the distinguished trustee. Hardin feels that he has now covered his past with a solid barrier. Safe at last. No living man can roll away the huge rock from the "tomb of the dead past." It would need a voice from the grave. He can defy the whole world.
In one of these, Rowan handed an open authority to Prentiss, and was taunted by Hardin for the act, by saying: "Give your friend all the aid you can: he needs it." "I only preserved the book open at the page where Mr. Prentiss had marked the law," said Rowan: "he requires no aid from me, brother Hardin. With all your learning and experience, he is more than a match for you."
They are in his hand. His eyes are moist with the silent tears of one who mourns the useless work of long years. They have been full of sadness, separation, spiritual defeat, and untimely death. Even Judge Hardin, merciless as he is, feels compassion for this lonely man. He has asked nothing of him. The situation is delicate.
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