 17 There, ye wise saints, behold your light, your star. Ye would be dupes and victims, and ye are. Is it enough? Or must I, while a thrill lives in your sapient bosoms, cheat you still? TAMASMUR, LALA RUK, THE VAILD PROPHET OF CORISON The fire, the canoe, and the spring, near which dear Slayer commenced his retreat, would have stood in the angles of a triangle of tolerably equal sides. The distance from the fire to the boat was a little less than the distance from the fire to the spring, while the distance from the spring to the boat was about equal to that between the two points first named. This, however, was in straight lines a means of escape to which the fugitives could not resort. They were obliged to have recourse to a detour in order to get the cover of the bushes, and to follow the curvature of the beach. Under these disadvantages, then, the hunter commenced his retreat. Disadvantages that he felt to be so much the greater from his knowledge of the habits of all Indians, who rarely fail in cases of sudden alarms, more especially when in the midst of cover, immediately to throw out flankers with a view to meet their foes at all points, and if possible to churn their rear. That some such course was now adopted he believed from the tramp of feet, which not only came up the ascent as related, but were also heard under the first impulse diverging not only towards the hill in the rear, but towards the extremity of the point, in a direction opposite to that he was about to take himself. Promptitude consequently became a matter of the last importance, as the parties might meet on the strand before the fugitive could reach the canoe. Notwithstanding the pressing nature of the emergency, dear Slayer hesitated a single instant ere he plunged into the bushes that lined the shore. His feelings had been awakened by the whole scene, and a sternness of purpose had come over him to which he was ordinarily a stranger. Four dark figures loomed on the ridge, drawn against the brightness of the fire, and an enemy might have been sacrificed at a glance. The Indians had paused to gaze into the gloom in search of the screeching hag, and with many a man less given to reflection than the hunter, the death of one of them would have been certain. Luckily he was more prudent. Although the rifle dropped a little towards the foremost of his pursuers, he did not aim or fire, but disappeared in the cover. To gain the beach and to follow it round to the place where Chingachuk was already in the canoe with hisst, anxiously waiting his appearance, occupied but a moment. Laying his rifle in the bottom of the canoe, dear Slayer stooped to give the latter a vigorous shove from the shore when a powerful Indian leaped through the bushes, a lighting like a panther on his back. Everything was now suspended by a hair, a false step ruining all. With a generosity that would have rendered a Roman illustrious throughout all time, but which in the career of one so simple and humble would have been forever lost to the world but for this unpretending legend. Dear Slayer threw all his force into a desperate effort, shoved the canoe off with a power that set it a hundred feet from the shore, as it might be in an instant, and fell forward into the lake himself, face downward, his assailant necessarily following him. Although the water was deep within a few yards of the beach, it was not more than breast high as close in as the spot where the two combatants fell. Still, this was quite sufficient to destroy one who had sunk under the great disadvantages in which Dear Slayer was placed. His hands were free, however, and the savage was compelled to relinquish his hug, to keep his own face above the surface. For half a minute there was a desperate struggle like the floundering of an alligator that has just seized some powerful prey, and then both stood erect, grasping each other's arms in order to prevent the use of the deadly knife in the darkness. What might have been the issue of this severe personal struggle cannot be known, for half a dozen savages came leaping into the water to the aid of their friend, and Dear Slayer yielded himself a prisoner with a dignity that was as remarkable as his self-devotion. To quit the lake and lead their new captive to the fire occupied the Indians but another minute. So much engaged were they all with the struggle and its consequences, that the canoe was unseen, though it still lay so near the shore as to render every syllable that was uttered perfectly intelligible to the Delaware and his betrothed. And the whole party left the spot, some continuing the pursuit after his along the beach, though most proceeded to the light. Here, Dear Slayer's antagonist so far recovered his breath and his recollection, for he had been throttled nearly to strangulation as to relate the manner in which the girl had got off. It was now too late to assail the other fugitives, for no sooner was his friend led into the bushes than the Delaware placed his paddle into the water, and the light canoe glided noiselessly away, holding its course towards the center of the lake until safe from shot, after which it sought the ark. When Dear Slayer reached the fire, he found himself surrounded by no less than eight grim savages, among whom was his old acquaintance Rivenoak. As soon as the latter caught a glimpse of the captive's countenance, he spoke apart to his companions, and a low but general exclamation of pleasure and surprise escaped them. They knew that the conqueror of their late friend, he who had fallen on the opposite side of the lake, was in their hands, and subject to their mercy or vengeance. There was no little admiration mingled in the ferocious looks that were thrown on the prisoner. An admiration that was as much excited by his present composure as by his past deeds. This scene may be said to have been the commencement of the great and terrible reputation that Dear Slayer, or Hawkeye, as he was afterwards called, enjoyed among all the tribes of New York and Canada. A reputation that was certainly more limited in its territorial and numerical extent than those which are possessed in civilized life, but which was compensated for what it wanted in these particulars, perhaps, by its greater justice and the total absence of mystification and management. The arms of Dear Slayer were not pinioned, and he was left the free use of his hands, his knife having been first removed. The only precaution that was taken to secure his person was untiring watchfulness, and a strong rope of bark that passed from ankle to ankle, not so much to prevent his walking as to place an obstacle in the way of his attempting to escape by any sudden leap. Even this extra provision against flight was not made until the captive had been brought to the light, and his character ascertained. It was, in fact, a compliment to his prowess, and he felt proud of the distinction. That he might be bound when the warriors slept, he thought probable, but to be bound in the moment of capture showed that he was already, and thus early, attaining a name. While the young Indians were fastening the rope, he wondered if Chingachuk would have been treated in the same manner, had he too fallen into the hands of the enemy. Nor did the reputation of the young paleface rest altogether on his success in the previous combat, or in his discriminating and cool manner of managing the late negotiation, for it had received a great accession by the occurrences of the night. Ignorant of the movements of the ark, and of the accident that had brought their fire into view, the Iroquois attributed the discovery of their new camp to the vigilance of so shrewd a foe. The manner in which he ventured upon the point, the abstraction or escape of his, and most of all the self-devotion of the prisoner, united to the readiness with which he had sent the canoe adrift, were so many important links in the chain of facts on which his growing fame was founded. Many of these circumstances had been seen, some had been explained, and all were understood. While this admiration and these honors were so unreservedly bestowed on dear Slayer, he did not escape some of the penalties of his situation. He was permitted to seat himself on the end of a log near the fire in order to dry his clothes, his late adversary remaining opposite, now holding articles of his own scanty vestments to the heat, and now feeling his throat, on which the marks of his enemy's fingers were still quite visible. The rest of the warriors consulted together near at hand, all those who had been out having returned to report that no signs of any other prowlers near the camp were to be found. In this state of things, the old woman, whose name was Shebear, in plain English, approached Dear Slayer, with her fists clenched and her eyes flashing fire. Hitherto she had been occupied with screaming, an employment at which she had played her part with no small degree of success. But having succeeded in effectually alarming all within reach of a pair of lungs that had been strengthened by long practice, she next turned her attention to the injuries her own person had sustained in the struggle. These were a no-manner material, though they were of a nature to arouse all the fury of a woman who had long ceased to attract by means of the gentler qualities, and who was much disposed to revenge the hardships she had so long endured as the neglected wife and mother of savages, on all who came within her power. If Dear Slayer had not permanently injured her, he had temporarily caused her to suffer, and she was not a person to overlook a wrong of this nature, on account of its motive. Skunk of the pale faces commenced this exasperated and semi-poetic fury, shaking her fist under the nose of the impassable hunter. You are not even a woman. Your friends, the Delaware's, are only women, and you are their sheep. Your own people will not own you, and no tribe of red men would have you in their wigwams. You skulk among pedicoded warriors. You slay our brave friend who has left us? No, his great soul scorned to fight you, and left his body rather than have the shame of slaying you. But the blood that you spilt when the spirit was not looking on has not sunk into the ground. It must be buried in your groans. What music do I hear? Those are not the wailings of a red man. No red warrior groans so much like a hog. They come from a pale-faced throat, a Yankee's bosom, and sound as pleasant as girls singing. Dog, skunk, woodchuck, mink, hedgehog, pig, toad, spider, Yankee! Here the old woman, having expended her breath and exhausted her epithets, was feigned to pause a moment. Though both her fists were shaken in the prisoner's face, and the whole of her wrinkled countenance was filled with fierce resentment. Dear Slayer looked upon these impotent attempts to arouse him as indifferently as a gentleman in our own state of society regards the vituperative terms of a blaggard, the one-party feeling that the tongue of an old woman could never injure a warrior, and the other knowing that mendacity and vulgarity can only permanently affect those who resort to their use. But he was spared any further attack at present by the interposition of Riven oak, who shoved aside the hag, bidding her quit the spot, and prepared to take his seat at the side of his prisoner. The old woman withdrew, but the hunter well understood that he was to be the subject of all her means of annoyance, if not a positive injury, so long as he remained in the power of his enemies, for nothing rankles so deeply as the consciousness that an attempt to irritate has been met by contempt, a feeling that is usually the most passive of any that is harbored in the human breast. Riven oak quietly took the seat we have mentioned, and after a short pause he commenced a dialogue which we translate as usual for the benefit of those readers who have not studied the North American languages. My pale-faced friend is very welcome, said the Indian with a familiar nod, and a smile so covert that it required all dear slayer's vigilance to detect, and not a little of his philosophy to detect unmoved. He is welcome. The Hurons keep a hot fire to dry the white man's clothes by. I thank you Huron, or Mingo, as I most like to call you, return the other. I thank you for the welcome, and I thank you for the fire. Each is good in its way, and the last is very good, when one has been in a spring as cold as the glimmer glass. Even Huron warmth may be pleasant, at such a time, to a man with a Delaware heart. The pale-face, but my brother has a name, so great a warrior would not have lived without a name? Mingo, said the hunter, a little of the weakness of human nature exhibiting itself in the glance of his eye, and the color on his cheek. Mingo, your brave called me Hawkeye, I suppose on account of a quick and certain aim, when he was lying with his head in my lap before his spirit started for the happy hunting grounds. It is a good name. The hawk is sure of his blow. Hawkeye is not a woman. Why does he live with the Delaware's? I understand you, Mingo, but we look on all that as a circumvention of some of your subtle devils, and deny the charge. Providence placed me among the Delaware's young, and, baiting what Christian usages demand of my color and gifts, I hope to live and die in their tribe. Still I do not mean to throw away altogether my native rights, and shall strive to do a pale face's duty in Redskin society. Good. A Huron is a Redskin as well as a Delaware. Hawkeye is more of a Huron than of a woman. I suppose you know, Mingo, your own meaning. If you don't, I make no question to his well known to Satan. But if you wish to get anything out of me, speak plainer, for bargains cannot be made blindfolded, or tongue-tied. Good. Hawkeye has not a forked tongue, and he likes to say what he thinks. He is an acquaintance of the muskrat. This was the name by which all the Indians designated hotter. And has lived in his wigwam. But he is not a friend. He wants no scalps like a miserable Indian, but fights like a stout-hearted pale face. The muskrat is neither white nor red. Neither a beast nor a fish. He is a water snake, sometimes in the spring and sometimes on the land. He looks for scalps like an outcast. Hawkeye can go back and tell him how he has outwitted the Hurons, how he has escaped. And when his eyes are in a fog when he can't see as far as from his cabin to the shore, then Hawkeye can open the door for the Hurons. And how would the plunder be divided, why Hawkeye will carry away the most, and the Hurons will take what he may choose to leave behind him. The scalps can go to Canada, for a pale face has no satisfaction in them. Well, well, Ribbon Oak. For so I hear him term you, this is plain English enough, though spoken in Iroquois. I understand all you mean now, and must say it outdevels even mingo-devel-tree. No doubt would be easy enough to go back and tell the muskrat that I had got away from you, and gained some credit too by the X-Blight. Good. That is what I want the pale face to do. Yes, yes. That's plain enough. I know what you want me to do without more words. When inside the house and eating the muskrat's bread and laughing and talking with his pretty darters, I might put his eyes into so thick a fog that he couldn't even see the door much less the land. Good. Hawkeye should have been born a Huron. His blood is not more than half white. There you're out, Huron. Yes, there you're as much out as if you mistook a wolf for a catamount. I'm white in blood, heart, nature, and gifts, though a little red skin in felons and habits. But when old Hutter's eyes are well befogged and his pretty darters perhaps in a deep sleep, and hurry, Harry, the great pine as you Indians term him, is dreaming of anything but mischief, and all suppose Hawkeye is acting as a faithful sentinel. All I have to do is set a torch somewhere in sight for a signal, open the door, and let in the Hurons, to knock them all on the head. Surely my brother is mistaken. He cannot be white. He is worthy to be a great chief among the Hurons. That is true enough, I dares to say, if he could do all this. Now, Hawkeye, Huron, and for once hear a few honest words from the mouth of a plain man. I am Christian born, and them that come of such a stock, and that listen to the words that were spoken to their fathers, and will be spoken to their children, until arth and all it holds perishes, can be and are lawful. But circumventions, and deceit, and treachery among friends, are fit only for the pale-faced devils. I know that there are white men enough to give you this wrong idea of our nature. But such be untrue to their blood and gifts, and ought to be, if they are not, outcasts and vagabonds. No upright pale-face could do what you wish, and to be as plain with you as I wish to be, in my judgment no upright Delaware either. With a mingo it may be different. The Huron listened to this rebuke with obvious disgust. But he had his ends in view, and was too wily to lose all chance of effecting them by a precipitate of owl of resentment. Going to smile he seemed to listen eagerly, and he then pondered on what he had heard. Does Hawkeye love the muskrat he abruptly demanded, or does he love his daughters? Neither, mingo, old Tom is not a man to gain my love, and as for the daughters they are comely enough to gain the liking of any young man. But there is reason again any very great love for either, had he is a good soul, but nature has laid a heavy hand on her mind, poor thing. And the Wild Rose, exclaimed the Huron, for the fame of Judith's beauty had spread among those who could travel the wilderness as well as the highway by means of old eagles' nests, rocks and riven trees, known to them by report and tradition, as well as among the white borderers. And the Wild Rose, is she not sweet enough to be put in the bosom of my brother? Dear Slayer had far too much of the innate gentleman to insinuate ought against the fair fame of who, by nature and position, was so helpless, and as he did not choose to utter and untruth he preferred being silent. The Huron mistook the motive and supposed the disappointed affection lay at the bottom of his reserve. Still bent on corrupting or bribing his captive, in order to obtain the possession of the treasures with which his imagination filled the castle, he persevered in his attack. Hawkeye is talking with a friend, he continued. He knows that Rivenoke is a man of his word, for they have traded together, and trade opens the soul. My friend has come here on account of a little string held by a girl that can pull the whole body of the sternest warrior? You are nearer the truth now Huron than you've been before, since we began to talk. This is true, but one end of that string was not fast to my heart, nor did the Wild Rose hold the other. This is wonderful. Does my brother love in his head and not in his heart? And can the feeble mind pull so hard against so stout a warrior? There it is again, sometimes right and sometimes wrong. The string you mean is fast to the heart of a great Delaware, one of Mohican stock, in fact, living among the Delaware since the dispersion of his own people, and of the family of Unkas, Chingachuk by name, or great serpent. He has come here, led by the string, and I follow to rather come afore, for I got here first, pulled by nothing stronger than friendship, which is strong enough for such as are not niggardly of their feelings, and are willing to live a little for their fellow creatures, as well as for themselves. But a string has two ends, one is fast to the mind of a Mohican, and the other? Why the other was here close to the fire half an hour since? Watawa held it in her hand, if she didn't hold it to her heart. I understand what you mean, my brother, returned the Indian gravely for the first time catching a direct clue to the adventures of the evening. The great serpent, being strongest, pulled the hardest, and hissed was forced to leave us. I don't think there was much pulling about it, answered the other, laughing, always in a silent manner with as much heartiness as if he were not a captive, and in danger of torture or death. I don't think there was much pulling about it. No, I don't. Lord help you, Huron. He likes the gal, and the gal likes him, and it surpassed Huron circumventions to keep the two people apart, where there was so strong a feeling to bring them together. And Hawkeye and Chingochuk came into our camp on this errand only? That's a question that'll answer itself, mingle. Yes, if a question could talk it would answer itself, to your perfect satisfaction. For what else should we come? And yet it isn't exactly so neither, for we didn't come into your camp at all, but only as far as that pine there that you see on the other side of the ridge, where we stood watching your movements, and conduct, as long as we liked. When we were ready the serpent gave his signal, and then all went just as it should, down to the moment when Yonder Vagabond leaped upon my back. Sarton, we come for that, and for no other purpose, and we got what we come for. There's no use in pretending otherwise. Hist is off with a man who's the next thing to her husband, and come what will to me, that's one good thing determined. What sign or signal told the young maiden that her lover was an eye? asked the Huron with more curiosity than it was usual for him to betray. And seemed to enjoy the success of the exploit, with as much glee as if he had not been its victim. Your squirrels are great Gatabots, Mingo, he cried, still laughing. Yes, they're certainly great Gatabots. When other folks' squirrels are at home and asleep, yarn keep in motion among the trees, and cheer up and sing in a way that even a Delaware gal can understand their music. Well, there's four-legged squirrels, and there's two-legged squirrels. And give me the last, when there's a good tight string between two hearts. If one brings him together, Tether tells when to pull hardest. The Huron looked vexed, though he succeeded in suppressing any violent exhibition of resentment. He now quoted his prisoner, and joining the rest of the warriors, he communicated the substance of what he had learned. As in his own case, admiration was mingled with anger at the boldness and success of their enemies. Three or four of them ascended the little eclivity and gazed at the tree where it was understood the adventurers had posted themselves, and one even descended to it and examined for footprints around its roots in order to make sure that the statement was true. The result confirmed the story of the captive, and they all returned to the fire with increased wonder and respect. The messenger who had arrived with some communication from the party above, while the two adventurers were watching the camp, was now dispatched with some answer, and doubtless bore with him the intelligence of all that had happened. Down to this moment the young Indian who had been seen walking in company with HIST, and another female, had made no advances to any communication with Deerslayer. He had held himself aloof from his friends, even, passing near the bevy of younger women who were clustering together, apart as usual, and conversed in low tones on the subject of the escape of their late companion. Perhaps it would be true to say that these last were pleased as well as vexed at what had just occurred. Their female sympathies were with the lovers, while their pride was bound up in the success of their own tribe. It is possible, too, that the superior personal advantages of HIST rendered her dangerous to some of the younger part of the group, and they were not sorry to find she was no longer in the way of their own ascendancy. On the whole, however, the better feeling was most prevalent. For neither the wild condition in which they lived, the clannish prejudices of tribes nor their hard fortunes as Indian women, could entirely conquer the inextinguishable leaning of their sex to the affections. One of the girls even laughed at the disconsolate look of the swain who might fancy himself deserted, a circumstance that seemed suddenly to arouse his energies, and induce him to move towards the log on which the prisoner was still seated, drying his clothes. This is Catamount, said the Indian, striking his hand, boastfully on his naked breast, as he uttered the words in a manner to show how much weight he expected them to carry. This is Hawkeye quietly returned, dear slayer, adopting the name by which he knew he would be known in future, among all the tribes of the Iroquois. My sight is keen. Is my brother's leap long? From here to the Delaware villages. Hawkeye has stolen my wife. He must bring her back, or his scalp will hang on a pole and dry in my wigwam. Hawkeye has stolen nothing hereon. He doesn't come of a thieving breed, nor has he thieving gifts. Your wife, as you call Watawa, will never be the wife of any red skin of the Canada's. Her mind is in the cabin of a Delaware, and her body has gone to find it. The Catamount is active, I know, but its legs can't keep pace with a woman's wishes. The serpent of the Delaware's is a dog. He is a poor bull trout that keeps in the water. He is afraid to stand on the hard earth, like a brave Indian. Well, well, Huron, that's pretty impudent, considering it's not an hour since the serpent stood within a hundred feet of you, and would have tried the toughness of your skin with a rifle bullet, when I pointed you out to him, hadn't I laid the weight of a little judgment on his hand? You may take in timorsome gals and the settlements, with your Catamount wine, but the ears of a man can tell truth from untruth. Hist laughs at him. She sees he is lame, and a poor hunter, and has never been on a war-path. She will take a man for a husband, and not a fish. How do you know that, Catamount? How do you know that, returned dear Slayer, laughing? She has gone into the lake you see, and maybe she prefers a trout to a mongrel cat, as for war-paths, neither the serpent nor I have much experience we are ready to own. But if you don't call this one, you must tarm it what the gals and the settlements tarm it, the high road to matrimony. Take my advice, Catamount, and search for a wife among the Huron women. You'll never get one with a willing mind from among the Delaware's. Catamount's hand felt for his tomahawk, and when the fingers reached the handle they worked convulsively as if their owner hesitated between policy and resentment. At this critical moment Rivenoak approached, and by a gesture of authority induced the young man to retire, assuming his former position himself on the log at the side of dear Slayer. Here he continued silent for a little time, maintaining the grave reserve of an Indian chief. Hawkeye is right, the Iroquois at length began. His sight is so strong that he can see truth in a dark night, and our eyes have been blinded. He is an owl, darkness hiding nothing from him. He ought not to strike his friends. He is right. I am glad you think so, Mingo, returned the other. For a traitor in my judgment is worse than a coward. I care as little for the muskrat as one pale face ought to care for another, but I care too much for him to ambush him in the way you wished. In short, according to my IDs, any circumventions, except open war circumventions, again both law and what we whites call gospel, too. My pale face brother is right. He is no Indian to forget his manatee and his color. The Hurons know that they have a great warrior for their prisoner, and they will treat him as one. If he is to be tortured, his torments shall be such as no common man can bear. If he is to be treated as a friend, it will be the friendship of chiefs. As the Huron uttered this extraordinary assurance of consideration, his eye furtively glanced at the countenance of his listener, in order to discover how he stood the compliment, though his gravity and apparent sincerity would have prevented any man but one practiced in artifices from detecting his motives. Dear Slayer belonged to the class of the unsuspicious, and acquainted with the Indian notions of what constitutes respect, in matters connected with the treatment of captives, he felt his blood chill at the announcement, even while he maintained an aspect so steeled that his quick-sighted enemy could discover in it no signs of weakness. God has put me in your hands, Huron, the captive at length answered, and I suppose you will act your will on me. I shall not boast of what I can do under torment, for I've never been tried, and no man can say till he has been. But I'll do my endeavors not to disgrace the people among whom I got my training. However, I wish you now to bear witness that I am altogether of white blood, in a natural way of white gifts, too. So, should I be overcome and forget myself, I hope you'll lay the fault where it properly belongs, and in no manner put it on the Delaware's, or their allies and friends the Mohicans. We're all created with more or less weakness, and I'm afeared it's a palefaces to give in under great bodily torment when a red skin will sing his songs and boast of his deeds in the very teeth of his foes. We shall see. Hawkeye has a good countenance, and he is tough. But why should he be tormented when the Hurons love him? He is not born their enemy, and the death of one warrior will not cast a cloud between them forever. So much the better, Huron, so much the better. Still, I don't wish to owe anything to a mistake about each other's meaning. It is so much the better that you bear no malice for the loss of a warrior who fell in war, and yet it is untrue that there is no enmity. Lawful enmity, I mean. A tweeness. So far as I have red skin feelings at all, I've Delaware feelings, and I leave you to judge for yourself how far they are likely to be friendly to the mingos. Dear Slayer ceased for a sort of specter stood before him that put a stop to his words, and indeed caused him for a moment to doubt the fidelity of his boasted vision. Hetty Hutter was standing at the side of the fire as quietly as if she belonged to the tribe. As the hunter and the Indian sat watching the emotions that were betrayed in each other's countenance, the girl had approached unnoticed, doubtless ascending from the beach on the southern side of the point, or that next to the spot where the ark had anchored, and had advanced to the fire with the fearlessness that belonged to her simplicity, and which was certainly justified by the treatment formally received from the Indians. As soon as Rivenoch perceived the girl, she was recognized, and calling to two or three of the younger warriors, the chief sent them out to reconnoiter, lest her appearance should be the forerunner of another attack. He then motioned to Hetty to draw near. I hope your visit is a sign that the serpent and his star in safety, Hetty, said Dear Slayer, as soon as the girl had complied with the Huron's request. I don't think you'd come ashore again on the errand that brought you here afore. Judith told me to come this time, Dear Slayer. Hetty implied, she paddled me ashore herself in a canoe as soon as the serpent had shown her hisst and told his story. How handsome hisst is tonight, Dear Slayer, and how much happier she looks than when she was with the Huron's. That's nature, gal. Yes, that may be set down as human nature. She's with her betrothed, and no longer fears a mingo husband. In my judgment, Judith herself would lose most of her beauty if she thought she was to bestow it all on a mingo. Advent is a great fortifier of good looks, and I'll warrant you hisst is contented enough. Now she is out of the hands of these miscreants, and with her chosen warrior. Did you say that Judith told you to come ashore? Why should your sister do that? She bid me to come to see you, and to try and persuade the savages to take more elephants to let you off. But I've brought the Bible with me. That will do more than all the elephants in Father's chest. And your father, good little Hetty, and hurry, did they know of your armed? Not they. Both are asleep, and Judith and the serpent thought at best they should not be woke, lest they might want to come again after scalps, when hisst had told them how few warriors and how many women and children there were in the camp. Judith would give me no peace till I had come ashore to see what had happened to you. Well, that's remarkable as concerns Judith. Why should she feel so much uncertainty about me? Ah! I see how it is now. Yes. I see into the whole matter now. You must understand, Hetty, that your sister is uneasy lest Harry March should wake and come blundering here into the hands of the enemy again under some idea that, being a travelling comrade, he ought to help me in this matter. Hurry is a blunderer, I will allow, but I don't think he'd risk as much for my sake, as he would for his own. Judith don't care for hurry, though hurry cares for her, replied Hetty innocently, but quite positively. I've heard you say as much as that of four, yes. I've heard that from you a four, gal, and yet it isn't true. One don't live in a tribe not to see something of the way in which liking works in a woman's heart. Though no way given to marrying myself, I've been a looker on among the Delaware's, and this is a matter in which pale face and red-skinned gifts are all as one as the same. When the feeling begins, the young woman is thoughtful and has no eyes or ears unless for the warrior that has taken her fancy. Then follows melancholy and sighing and such sort of actions, after which especially if matters don't come to plain discourse, she often flies round to backbiting and fault-finding, blaming the youth for the very things she likes best in him. Some young creatures are forward in this way of showing their love, and I'm of opinion Judith is one of them. Now I've heard her as much as deny that hurry was good-looking, and the young woman who could do that must be far gone indeed. The young woman who liked hurry would own that he is handsome. I think hurry very handsome, dear Slayer, and I'm sure everybody must think so, that has eyes. Judith don't like Harry March, and that's the reason she finds fault with him. Well, well, my good little Hattie, have it your own way. If we should talk from now till winter, each would think as at present, and there's no use in words. I must believe that Judith is much wrapped up in Harry, and that sooner or later she'll have him, and this too all the more from the manner in which she abuses him. And I dare to say you think just the contrary, but mind what I now tell you, Gal, and pretend not to know it. Lead this being who was so obtuse on a point on which men are usually quick enough to make discoveries, and so acute in matters that would baffle the observation of much the greater portion of mankind. I see how it is with them vagabonds. Rivenoch has left us, you see, and is talking yonder with his young men, and though too far to be heard, I can see what he is telling them. Their orders is to watch your movements, and to find where the canoe is to meet you, to take you back to the ark, and then to seize all and what they can. I'm sorry Judith sent you, for I suppose she wants you to go back again. All that settled, dear Slayer, return the girl in a low, confidential, and meaning manner. And you may trust me to outwit the best Indian of them all. I know I am feeble-minded. But I've got some sense, and you'll see how I use it in getting back, when my errand is done. As me, poor girl, I'm afeard all that's easier said than done. There are venomous set of reptiles, and their pisons none the milder, for the loss of hisst. Well, I'm glad the serpent was the one to get off with the gal, for now they'll be too happy at least, whereas had he fallen into the hands of the mingos, there'd been too miserable, and another far from feeling as a man likes to feel. Now you put me in mind of a part of my errand that I had almost forgotten, dear Slayer. Judith told me to ask you what you thought the herons would do with you, if you couldn't be bought off, and what she had best do to serve you. Yes, this was the most important part of the errand, what she had best do in order to serve you. That's as you think, Hetty. But it's no matter. Young women are apt to lay most stress on what most touches their feelings, but no matter. Have it your own way, so you be but careful not to let the vagabonds get the mastery of a canoe. When you get back to the ark, tell them to keep close, and to keep moving too, most especially at night. Many hours can't go by without the troops on the river hearing of this party, and then your friends may look for relief. Tis but a day's march from the nearest garrison, and true soldiers will never lie idle with the foe in their neighborhood. This is my advice, and you may say to your father and hurry that scalp hunting will be a poor business now, as the mingles are up and awake, and nothing can save them, till the troops come, except keeping a good belt of water between them and the savages. What shall I tell Judith about you, dear Slayer? I know she will send me back again if I don't bring her the truth about you. Then tell her the truth. I see no reason Judith Hutter shouldn't hear the truth about me, as well as a lie. I'm a captive in Indian hands, and Providence only knows what will come of it. I'm a key-hetti, dropping his voice and speaking still more confidentially. You are a little weak-minded, it must be allowed. But you know something of Indians. Here I am in their hands after having slain one of their stoutest warriors, and they'd been endeavoring to work upon me through fear of consequences to betray your father and all in the ark. I understand the blackards, as well as if they'd told it all out plainly with their tongues. They hold up avarice for me, on one side, and fear on the other, and think honesty will give way between them both, but let your father and hurry know, to his all useless, as for the serpent he knows it already. But what shall I tell Judith? She will certainly send me back if I don't satisfy her mind. Well, tell Judith the same. No doubt the savages will try the torments to make me give in, and to revenge the loss of their warrior, but I must hold out again natural weakness in the best manner I can. You may tell Judith to feel no concern in my account. It will come hard, I know, seeing that a white man's gifts don't run to boasting and singing under torment, for he generally feels smallest when he suffers most. But you may tell her not to have any concern. I think I shall make out to stand it, and she may rely on this, let me give in as much as I may, and prove completely that I am white by wailings and howlings and even tears, yet I'll never fall so far as to betray my friends. When it gets to burning holes in the flesh with heated ramrods, and to hacking the body, and tearing the hair out by the roots, nature may get the upper hand so far as groans and complaints are concerned. But there the triumph of the vagabonds will end. Nothing short of God's abandoning him to the devils can make an honest man untrue to his color and duty. Had he listened with great attention, and her mild but speaking countenance manifested a strong sympathy in the anticipated agony of the supposititious sufferer. At first she seemed at a loss how to act. Then, taking a hand of dear slayers, she affectionately recommended to him to borrow her Bible and to read it while the savages were inflicting their torments. When the other honestly admitted that it exceeded his power to read, she even volunteered to remain with him and to perform this holy office in person. The offer was gently declined, and Riv and Oak being about to join them, dear slayer requested the girl to leave him, first enjoining her again to tell those in the ark to have full confidence in his fidelity. Had he now walked away, and approached the group of females with as much confidence and self-position as if she were a native of the tribe, on the other hand the Huron resumed his seat by the side of his prisoner, the one continuing to ask questions with all the wily ingenuity of a practiced Indian counselor, and the other baffling him by the very means that are known to be the most efficacious in defeating the finesse of the more pretending diplomacy of civilization, or by confining his answers to the truth, and the truth only. CHAPTER 18 OF THE DEAR SLAYER This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. THE DEAR SLAYER BY JAMES FANIMOR COOPER CHAPTER XVIII THUS DIED SHE, NEVER MORE ON HER SHALL SORROW LIGHT, OR SHAME. SHE WAS NOT MADE THROUGH YEARS OR MOONS THE INNER WEIGHT TO BEAR, WHICH COLDER HEARTS ENDURET TILL THEY ARE LAID BY AGE IN EARTH. HER DAYS AND PLEASURE WERE BRIEF BUT DELIGHTFUL, SUCH AS HAD NOT STAYED LONG WITH HER DESTINY. BUT SHE SLEEPS WELL BY THE SEASHORE, WHEREON SHE LOVED TO DWELL. Byron, Don Juan, IV, 71 The young men who had been sent out to reconnoitre on the sudden appearance of Hattie soon returned to report their want of success in making any discovery. One of them had even been along the beach as far as the spot opposite to the Ark, but the darkness had completely concealed that vessel from his notice. Others had examined in different directions, and everywhere the stillness of night was added to the silence and solitude of the woods. It was consequently believed that the girl had come alone, as on her former visit, and on some similar errand. The Iroquois were ignorant that the Ark had left the castle, and there were movements projected if not in the course of actual execution by this time, which also greatly added to the sense of security. A watch was set, therefore, and all but the sentinels disposed themselves to sleep. Sufficient care was had to the safekeeping of the captive, without inflicting on him any unnecessary suffering. And as for Hattie, she was permitted to find a place among the Indian girls in the best manner she could. She did not find the friendly offices of Histe, though her character not only bestowed impunity from pain and captivity, but it procured for her a consideration and an attention that placed her on the score of comfort, quite on a level with the wild but gentle beings around her. She was supplied with a skin, and made her own bed on a pile of boughs, a little apart from the huts. Here she was soon in a profound sleep, like all around her. There were now thirteen men in the party, and three kept watch at a time. One remained in shadow, not far from the fire, however. His duty was to guard the captive, to take care that the fire neither blazed up so as to illuminate the spot, nor yet became holy extinguished, and to keep an eye generally on the state of the camp. Another passed from one beach to the other, crossing the base of the point, while the third kept moving slowly around the strand on its outer extremity, to prevent a repetition of the surprise that had already taken place that night. This arrangement was far from being usual among savages, who ordinarily rely more on the secrecy of their movements than on vigilance of this nature, but it had been called for by the peculiarity of the circumstances in which the Hurons were now placed. Their position was known to their foes, and it could not easily be changed at an hour which demanded rest. Perhaps, too, they placed most of their confidence on the knowledge of what they believed to be passing higher up the lake, and which it was thought would fully occupy the whole of the palefaces who were at liberty with their solitary Indian ally. It was also probable Rivenok was aware that, in holding his captive, he had in his own hands the most dangerous of all his enemies. The precision with which those accustomed to watchfulness or lives of disturbed rest sleep is not the least of the phenomena of our mysterious being. The head is no sooner on the pillow than consciousness is lost, and yet, at a necessary hour, the mind appears to arouse the body as promptly as if it had stood sentinel the while over it. There can be no doubt that they who are thus roused awake by the influence of thought over matter, though the mode in which this influence is exercised must remain hidden from our curiosity until it shall be explained, should that hour ever arrive by the entire enlightenment of the soul on the subject of all human mysteries. Thus it was with Hetty Hutter. Feeble as the immaterial portion of her existence was thought to be, it was sufficiently active to cause her to open her eyes at midnight. At that hour she awoke, and, leaving her bed of skin and bowels, she walked innocently and openly to the embers of the fire, stirring the latter as the coolness of the night in the woods, in connection with an exceedingly unsophisticated bed, had a little chilled her. As the flame shot up, it lighted the swarthy countenance of the Huron on watch, whose dark eyes glistened under its light like the balls of the panther that is pursued to his den with burning brands. But Hetty felt no fear, and she approached the spot where the Indians stood. Her movements were so natural, and so perfectly devoid of any of the stealthiness of cunning or deception, that he imagined she had merely arisen on account of the coolness of the night. A common occurrence in a bibwak. And the one of all others, perhaps the least likely to excite suspicion. Hetty spoke to him, but he understood no English. She then gazed near a minute at the sleeping captive, and moved slowly away in a sad and melancholy manner. The girl took no pains to conceal her movements. Any ingenious expedient of this nature quite likely exceeded her powers. Still, her step was habitually light and scarcely audible. As she took the direction of the extremity of the point, or the place where she had landed in the first adventure, and where HIST had embarked, the sentinel saw her light form gradually disappear in the gloom without uneasiness or changing his own position. He knew that others were on the lookout, and he did not believe that one who had twice come into the camp voluntarily, and had already left it openly, would take refuge in flight. In short, the conduct of the girl excited no more attention than that of any person of feeble intellect would excite in civilized society, while her person met with more consideration and respect. Hetty certainly had no very distinct notions of the localities, but she found her way to the beach, which she reached on the same side of the point as that on which the camp had been made, by following the margin of the water taking a northern direction she soon encountered the Indian who paced the strand as sentinel. This was a young warrior, and when he heard her light tread coming along the gravel he approached swiftly, though with anything but menace in his manner. The darkness was so intense that it was not easy to discover forms within the shadows of the woods at the distance of twenty feet, and quite impossible to distinguish persons until near enough to touch them. The young Huron manifested disappointment when he found whom he had met, for truth to say he was expecting his favorite, who had promised to relieve the ennui of a midnight watch with her presence. This man was also ignorant of English, but he was at no loss to understand why the girl should be up at that hour. Such things were usual in an Indian village and camp, where sleep is as irregular as the meals. Then poor Hetty's known in facility, as in most things connected with the savages, stood her friend on this occasion. Vexed at his disappointment, and impatient of the presence of one he thought an intruder, the young warrior signed for the girl to move forward, holding the direction of the beach. Hetty complied, but as she walked away she spoke aloud in English in her usual soft tones, which the stillness of the night made audible at some little distance. If you took me for a Huron girl, warrior, she said, I don't wonder you are so little pleased. I am Hetty Hutter, Thomas Hutter's daughter, and have never met any man at night for a mother always said it was wrong, and modest young women should never do it. Modest young women of the pale faces, I mean, for customs are different in different parts of the world, I know. No, no, I'm Hetty Hutter, and wouldn't meet even Harry, though he should fall down on his knees and ask me. Mother said it was wrong. By the time Hetty had said this she reached the place where the canoes had come ashore, and owing to the curvature of the land in the bushes would have been completely hid from the sight of the sentinel, had it been broad day. But another footstep had caught the lover's ear, and he was already nearly beyond the sound of the girl's silvery voice. Still Hetty, bent only on her own thoughts and purposes, continued to speak, though the gentleness of her tones prevented the sounds from penetrating far into the woods. On the water they were more widely diffused. Here I am, Judith, she added, and there is no one near me. The Huron on watch has gone to meet his sweetheart, who is an Indian girl, you know, and never had a Christian mother to tell her how wrong it is to meet a man at night. Hetty's voice was hushed by a hiss that came from the water, and then she caught a dim view of the canoe which approached, noiselessly, and soon grated on the shingle with its bow. The moment the weight of Hetty was felt in the light-craft, the canoe withdrew, stern foremost, as if possessed of life and volition, until it was a hundred yards from the shore. Then it turned and, making a wide sweep, as much to prolong the passage as to get beyond the sound of voices, it held its way towards the ark. For several minutes nothing was uttered. But believing herself to be in a favorable position to confer with her sister, Judith, who alone sat in the stern, managing the canoe with a skill little short of that of a man, began a discourse which she had been burning to commence ever since they had quitted the point. Here we are, safe, Hetty, she said, and may talk without the fear of being overheard. You must speak low, however, for sounds are heard far on the water in a still night. I was so close to the point some of the time while you were on it that I have heard the voices of the warriors, and I heard your shoes on the gravel of the beach even before you spoke. I don't believe, Judith, the Hurons know I have left them. Quite likely they do not, for a lover makes a poor sentry, unless it be to watch for his sweetheart. But tell me, Hetty, did you see and speak with dear Slayer? Oh, yes. There he was seated near the fire with his legs tied, though they left his arms free to move them as he pleased. Well, what did he tell you, child? Speak quick, I am dying to know what message he sent me. What did he tell me? Why, what do you think, Judith? He told me that he couldn't read. Only think of that. A white man, and not know how to read his Bible even. He never could have had a mother, sister. Never mind that, Hetty. All men can't read, though mother knew so much and taught us so much, father knows very little about books, and he can barely read the Bible, you know. Oh, I never thought fathers could read much, but mothers ought all to read, else how can they teach their children? Depend on it, Judith. Dear Slayer could never have had a mother, else he would know how to read. Did you tell him I sent you ashore, Hetty, and how much concern I feel for his misfortune? Ask the other, impatiently. I believe I did, Judith, but you know I am feeble-minded, and I may have forgotten. I did tell him you brought me ashore, and he told me a great deal that I was to say to you, which I remember well, for it made my blood run cold to hear him. He told me to say that his friends, I suppose you are one of them, sister? How can you torment me, thus Hetty? Certainly I am one of the truest friends he has on earth. Torment you? Yes, now I remember all about it. I am glad you used that word, Judith, for it brings it all back to my mind. Well, he said he might be tormented by the savages, but he would try to bear it as becomes a Christian white man, and that no one need be afeard. Why does Dearslayer call it afeard when mother always taught us to say afraid? Never mind, dear Hetty, never mind that now, cried the other, almost gasping for breath. Did Dearslayer really tell you that he thought the savages will put him to the torture? Recollect now well, Hetty, for this is a most awful and serious thing. Yes, he did, and I remember it by your speaking about my tormenting you. Oh, I felt very sorry for him, and Dearslayer took all so quietly and without noise. Dearslayer is not as handsome as Harry, Judith, but he is more quiet. He's worth a million hurries. Yes, he's worth all the young men who ever came upon the lake put together, said Judith, with an energy and positiveness that caused her sister to wonder. He is true. There is no lie about Dearslayer. You Hetty may not know what a merit it is in a man to have truth. But when you get—no, I hope you will never know it. Why should one like you ever be made to learn the hard lesson to distrust and hate? Judith bowed her face, dark as it was, and unseen she must have been by any eye but that of omniscience, between her hands and groaned. This sudden paroxysm of feeling, however, lasted but for a moment, and she continued more calmly, still speaking frankly to her sister, whose intelligence and whose discretion in anything that related to herself she did not in the least distrust. Her voice, however, was low and husky instead of having its former clearness and animation. It is a hard thing to fear truth, Hetty, she said, and yet do I more dread Dearslayer's truth than any enemy. One cannot tamper with such truth, so much honesty, such obstinate uprightness. But we are not altogether unequal, sister, Dearslayer and I. He is not altogether my superior. It was not usual for Judith so far to demean herself as to appeal to Hetty's judgment, nor did she often address her by the title of sister, a distinction that is commonly given by the junior to the senior, even where there is perfect equality in all other respects. As trifling departures from habitual deportment often are strike the imagination than more important changes, Hetty perceived the circumstances and wondered at them in her own simple way. Her ambition was a little quickened, and the answer was as much out of the usual course of things as the question, the poor girl attempting to refine beyond her strength. Superior Judith, she repeated with pride, In what can Dearslayer be your superior? Are you not mother's child? And does he know how to read and wasn't mother before any woman in all this part of the world? I should think so far from supposing himself your superior, he would hardly believe himself mine. You are handsome, and he is ugly. No, not ugly, Hetty, interrupted Judith, only plain, but his honest face has a look in it that is far better than beauty. In my eyes Dearslayer is handsomer than Harry Harry. Judith Hutter, you frighten me, hurry is the handsomest mortal in the world, even handsomer than you are yourself, because a man's good looks, you know, are always better than a woman's good looks. This little innocent touch of natural taste did not please the elder sister at the moment, and she did not scruple to betray it. Hetty, you now speak foolishly, and had better say no more on this subject, she answered. Hurry is not the handsomest mortal in the world by many. And there are officers in the garrisons, Judith stammered at the words, there are officers in the garrisons nearest far comlier than he. But why do you think me the equal of Dearslayer, speak of that? For I do not like to hear you show so much admiration of a man like Harry, who has neither feelings, manners, nor conscience. You are too good for him, and he ought to be told it at once. I, Judith, how you forget? Why, I am not beautiful, and am feeble-minded. You are good, Hetty, and that is more than can be said of Harry March. He may have a face and a body, but he has no heart. But enough of this for the present tell me what raises me to an equality with Dearslayer. You think of you asking me this, Judith. He can't read, and you can. He don't know how to talk, but speaks worse than Harry even. For, sister, Harry doesn't always pronounce his words right. Did you ever notice that? Certainly, he is as coarse in speech as in everything else, but I fear you flatter me, Hetty, when you think I can be justly called the equal of a man like Dearslayer. It is true, I have been better taught, in one sense and more comely, and perhaps might look higher. But then his truth, his truth, makes a fearful difference between us. Well, I will talk no more of this, and we will be think us of the means of getting him out of the hands of the Hurons. We have father's chest in the Ark, Hetty, and might try the temptation of more elephants, though I fear such bobbles will not buy the liberty of a man like Dearslayer. I am afraid father and hurry will not be as willing to ransom Dearslayer as Dearslayer was to ransom them. Why not, Judith? Harry and Dearslayer are friends, and friends should always help one another. Alas, poor Hetty! You little no mankind! Seeming friends are often more to be dreaded than open enemies, particularly by females. But you'll have to land in the morning and try again what can be done for Dearslayer. Tortured he shall not be, while Judith thought her lips, and can find means to prevent it. The conversation now grew desultory, and was drawn out until the elder sister had extracted from the younger every fact that the female faculties of the latter permitted her to retain, and to communicate. When Judith was satisfied, though she could never be said to be satisfied, whose feelings seemed to be so interwoven with all that related to the subject as to have excited a nearly inappeasable curiosity. But when Judith could think of no more questions to ask without resorting to repetition, the canoe was paddled towards the scow. The intense darkness of the night, and the deep shadows which the hills and forests cast upon the water, rendered it difficult to find the vessel anchored as it had been as close to the shore as a regard for safety rendered prudent. Judith was expert in the management of a bark canoe, the likeness of which demanded skill rather than strength. And she forced her own little vessel swiftly over the water the moment she had entered her conference with Hattie, and had come to the determination to return. Still no ark was seen. Several times the sisters fancied they saw it looming up in the obscurity like a low black rock, but on each occasion it was found to be either an optical illusion or some swell of the foliage on the shore. After a search that lasted half an hour, the girls were forced to the unwelcome conviction that the ark had departed. Most young women would have felt the awkwardness of their situation, in a physical sense, under the circumstances in which the sisters were left, more than any apprehensions of a different nature. Not so with Judith, however, and even Hattie felt more concern about the motives that might have influenced her father in hurry than any fears for her own safety. It cannot be, Hattie, said Judith, when a thorough search had satisfied them both that no ark was to be found. It cannot be that the Indians have rafted or swum off and surprised our friends as they slept. I don't believe that Hiss and Chingoch Cook would sleep until they had told each other all they had to say after so long a separation. Do you, sister? Perhaps not, child. There was much to keep them awake, but one Indian may have been surprised even when not asleep, especially as his thoughts may have been on other things. Still, we should have heard a noise, for in a night like this an oath of hurry Harrys would have echoed in the eastern hills like a clap of thunder. Hurry is sinful and thoughtless about his words, Judith, Hattie meekly and sorrowfully answered. No, no, tis impossible the ark could be taken, and I not hear the noise. It is not an hour since I left it, and the whole time I have been attentive to the smallest sound, and yet it is not easy to believe a father would willingly abandon his children. Perhaps father has thought us in our cabin asleep, Judith, and has moved away to go home. You know we often move the ark in the night. This is true, Hattie, and it must be as you suppose. There is a little more like southern air than there was, and they have gone up the lake. Judith stopped, for as the last word was on her tongue the scene was suddenly lighted, though only for a single instant by a flash. The crack of a rifle succeeded, and then followed the roll of the echo along the eastern mountains. Almost at the same moment a piercing female cry arose in the air in a prolonged shriek. The awful stillness that succeeded was, if possible, more appalling than the fierce and sudden interruption of the deep silence of midnight. Resolute as she was both by nature and habit, Judith scarce breathed, while poor Hattie hid her face and trembled. "'That was a woman's cry, Hattie,' said the former solemnly, and it was a cry of anguish. If the ark is moved from this spot it can only have gone north of this air. And the gun and the shriek came from the point. Can anything have befallen hissed? Let us go and see, Judith. She may want our assistance, for besides herself there are none but men in the ark.' It was not a moment for hesitation, and ere Judith had ceased speaking her paddle was in the water. The distance to the point in a direct line was not great, and the impulses under which the girls worked were too exciting to allow them to waste the precious moments in useless precautions. They paddled incautiously for them, but the same excitement kept others from noting their movements. Presently a glare of light caught the eye of Judith through an opening in the bushes, and, steering by it, she so directed the canoes to keep it visible while she got as near the land as was either prudent or necessary. The scene that was now presented to the observation of the girls was within the woods, on the side of the declivity so often mentioned, and in plain view from the boat. Here all in the camp were collected, some six or eight carrying torches of fat pine which cast a strong but funerial light and all beneath the arches of the forest. With her back supported against a tree, and sustained on one side by the young sentinel whose remissness had suffered had he to escape, but the female whose expected visit had produced his delinquency. By the glare of the torch that was held near her face it was evident that she was in the agonies of death, while the blood that trickled from her bared bosom betrayed the nature of the injury she had received. The pungent, peculiar smell of gunpowder, too, was still quite perceptible in the heavy damp night air. There could be no question that she had been shot. Both understood it all at a glance. The streak of light had appeared on the water a short distance from the point, and either the rifle had been discharged from a canoe hovering near the land, or it had been fired from the ark in passing. An incautious exclamation, or laugh, may have produced the assault, for it was barely possible that the aim had been assisted by any other agent than sound. As to the effect, that was soon still more apparent. The head of the victim dropping, and the body sinking in death. Then all the tortures but one were extinguished, a measure of prudence, and the melancholy train that bore the body to the camp was just to be distinguished by the glimmering light that remained. Judith sighed heavily and shuddered, as her paddle again dipped, and the canoe moved cautiously around the point. A sight had afflicted her senses, and now haunted her imagination, that was still harder to be borne than even the untimely fate and passing agony of the deceased girl. She had seen, under the strong glare of all the torches, the erect form of deer slayer standing with commiseration, and as she thought was shame depicted on his countenance near the dying female. He betrayed neither fear nor backwardness himself, but it was apparent by the glances cast at him by the warriors that fierce passions were struggling in their bosoms. All this seemed to be unheated by the captive, but it remained impressed on the memory of Judith throughout the night. No canoe was met hovering near the point. A stillness and darkness as complete as if the silence of the forest had never been disturbed, or the sun had never shown on that retired region now rained on the point, and on the gloomy water, the slumbering woods, and even the murky sky. No more could be done therefore than to seek a place of safety, and this was only to be found in the center of the lake. Paddling in silence to that spot, the canoe was suffered to drift northerly, while the girls sought such repose as their situation of feelings would permit. CHAPTER XIX Stand to your arms and guard the door, all's lost unless that fearful bell be silenced soon. The officer hath missed his path, or purpose, or met some unforeseen and hideous obstacle. And, Salmo, would thy company proceed straight to the tower? The rest remain with me. MARINO FALIERO IV. II. 230-235 The conjecture of Judith Hutter, concerning the manner in which the Indian girl had met her death, was accurate in the main. After sleeping several hours her father in March awoke. This occurred a few minutes after she had left the ark to go in quest of her sister, and when, of course, Chingochuk, and his betrothed, were on board. From the Delaware the old man learned the position of the camp, and the recent events, as well as the absence of his daughters. The latter gave him no concern, for he relied greatly on the sagacity of the elder, and the known impunity with which the younger passed among the savages. Long familiarity with danger, too, had blunted his sensibilities, nor did he seem much to regret the captivity of dear Slayer, for while he knew how material his aid might be in a defense, the difference in their views on the morality of the woods had not left much sympathy between them. He would have rejoiced to know the position of the camp before it had been alarmed by the escape of HIST, but it would be too hazardous now to venture to land, and he reluctantly relinquished for the night the ruthless designs that cupidity and revenge had excited him to entertain. In this mood Hutter took a seat in the head of the scow, where he was quickly joined by hurry, leaving the serpent and HIST in quiet possession of the other extremity of the vessel. Dear Slayer has shown himself a boy in going among the savages at this hour and letting himself fall into their hands like a deer that tumbles into a pit, growl the old man perceiving as usual the moat in his neighbor's eyes while he overlooked the beam in his own. If he is left to pay for his stupidity with his own flesh he can blame no one but himself. That's the way of the world, old Tom returned hurry. Every man must meet his own debts and answer for his own sins. I'm amazed, however, that a lad as skillful and watchful as Dear Slayer should have been caught in such a trap. Didn't he know any better than to go prowling about a Huron camp at midnight, with no place to retreat to but a lake? Or did he think himself a buck that by taking to the water could throw off the scent and swim himself out of difficulty? I had a better opinion of the boy's judgment I'll own, but we must overlook a little ignorance in a raw hand. I say, Master Hutter, do you happen to know what has become of the gals? I see no signs of Judith or Hetty, though I've been through the Ark and looked into all its living creatures. Hutter briefly explained the manner in which his daughters had taken to the canoe as it had been related by the Delaware as well as the return of Judith after landing her sister and her second departure. This comes of a smooth tongue, floating Tom exclaimed hurry, grating his teeth in pure resentment. This comes of a smooth tongue and a silly gals inclinations, and you had best look into the matter. You and I were both prisoners. Hurry, could we call that circumstance now. You and I were both prisoners, and yet Judith never stirred an inch to do us any service. She is bewitched with this length-looking Dear Slayer, and he, and she, and you and all of us, had best look into it. I am not a man to put up with such a wrong quietly, and I say all the parties had best look to it. Let's up-catch, old fellow, and move nearer this pint and see how matters are getting on. Hutter had no objections to this movement, and the Ark was got underway in the usual manner, care being taken to make no noise. The wind was passing northward, and the sail soon swept the scow so far up the lake as to render the dark outlines of the trees that clothed the point dimly visible. Floating Tom steered, and he sailed along as near the land as the depth of the water and the overhanging branches would allow. It was impossible to distinguish anything that stood within the shadows of the shore, but the forms of the sail and of the hut were discerned by the young sentinel on the beach, who has already been mentioned. In the moment of sudden surprise, a deep Indian exclamation escaped him. In that spirit of recklessness and ferocity that formed the essence of Hari's character, this man dropped his rifle and fired. The ball was sped by accident or by that overruling providence which decides the fates of all, and the girl fell. Then followed the scene with the torches which has just been described. At the precise moment when Hari committed this act of unthinking cruelty, the canoe of Judith was within a hundred feet of the spot from which the ark had so lately moved. Her own course has been described, and it has now become our office to follow that of her father and his companions. The shriek announced the effects of the random shot of march, and it also proclaimed that the victim was a woman. Hari himself was startled at these unlooked-for consequences, and for a moment he was sorely disturbed by conflicting sensations. At first he laughed in reckless and rude-minded exultation, and then conscience that monitor planted in our hearts by God, and which receives its more general growth from the training bestowed in the tillage of childhood, shot a pang to his heart. For a minute the mind of this creature equally of civilization and of barbarism was a sort of chaos as to feeling, not knowing what to think of its own act. And then the obstinacy and pride of one of his habits interposed to assert their usual ascendancy. He struck the butt of his rifle on the bottom of the scow with a species of defiance, and began to whistle a low air with an affectation of indifference. All this time the ark was in motion, and it was already opening the bay above the point, and was consequently quitting the land. Hari's companions did not view his conduct with the same indulgence as that with which he appeared disposed to regard it himself. Hatter growled out his dissatisfaction for the act led to no advantage, while it threatened to render the warfare more vindictive than ever, and nonsensure motiveless departures from the right more severely than the mercenary and unprincipled. Still he commanded himself, the captivity of dear slayer rendering the arm of the offender of double consequence to him at that moment. Shingochuk arose, and for a single instant the ancient animosity of tribes was forgotten, in a feeling of color. But he recollected himself in season to prevent any of the fierce consequences that, for a passing moment, he certainly meditated. Not so with hisst. Rushing through the hut, or cabin, the girl stood at the side of Hari almost as soon as his rifle touched the bottom of the scow, and with a fearlessness that did credit to her heart, she poured out her reproaches with the generous warmth of a woman. What for you shoot? she said. What hereon gal do that you kill him? What you think manner to say? What you think manner to feel? What Iroquois do? No get honor, no get camp, no get prisoner, no get battle, no get scalp, no get nothing at all. Blood come after blood. How you feel your wife killed? Who pity you when tear come for mutter or sister? You big as great pine, hereon gal, little slender birch. Why you fall on her and crush her? You tink hereon forget it? No. Red skin never forget. Never forget friend, never forget enemy. Red man manner to and that. Why you so wicked great pale face? Hari had never been so daunted as by this close and warm attack of the Indian girl. It is true that she had a powerful ally in his conscience, and while she spoke earnestly it was in tones so feminine as to deprive him of any pretext for unmanly anger. The softness of her voice added to the weight of her remonstrance, by lending to the latter an air of purity and truth. Like most vulgar-minded men, he had only regarded the Indians through the medium of their coarser and fiercer characteristics. It had never struck him that the affections are human, that even high principles, modified by habits and prejudices, but not the less elevated within their circle, can exist in the savage state, and that the warrior who is most ruthless in the field can submit to the softest and gentlest influences in the moments of domestic quiet. In a word it was the habit of his mind to regard all Indians as being only a slight degree removed from the wild beasts that roamed the woods, and to feel disposed to treat them accordingly whenever interest or caprice supplied a motive or an impulse. Still, though daunted by these reproaches the handsome barbarian could hardly be said to be penitent, he was too much rebuked by conscience to suffer an outbreak of temper to escape him. And perhaps he felt that he had already committed an act that might justly bring his manhood in question. Instead of resenting or answering the simple but natural appeal of hisst, he walked away, like one who disdained entering into a controversy with a woman. In the meanwhile the ark swept onward, and by the time the scene with the torches was enacting beneath the trees, it had reached the open lake, floating tom causing it to shear further from the land with a sort of instinctive dread of retaliation. An hour now passed in gloomy silence, no one appearing disposed to break it. Hist had retired to her pallet, and Chingochuk lay sleeping in the forward part of the scow. Hotter and hurry alone remained awake. The former at the steering oar, while the latter brooded over his own conduct, with the stubbornness of one little given to a confession of his errors, and the secret godings of the worm that never dies. This was at the moment when Judith and Hattie reached the center of the lake, and had lain down to endeavor to sleep in their drifting canoe. The night was calm, though so much obscured by clouds. The season was not one of storms, and those which did occur in the month of June on that embedded water, though frequently violent, were always of short continuance. Nevertheless, there was the usual current of heavy damp night air, which passing over the summits of the trees scarcely appeared to descend as low as the surface of the glassy lake, but kept moving a short distance above it, saturated with the humidity that constantly arose from the woods, and apparently never proceeding far in any one direction. The currents were influenced by the formation of the hills, as a matter of course, a circumstance that rendered even fresh breezes baffling, and which reduced the feebler efforts of the night air to be a sort of capricious and fickle sighings of the woods. Several times the head of the ark pointed east, and once it was actually turned towards the south again, but on the whole it worked its way north, hotter making always a fair wind, if wind it could be called, his principal motive appearing to keep in motion in order to defeat any treacherous design of his enemies. He now felt some little concern about his daughters, and perhaps as much about the canoe, but on the whole this uncertainty did not much disturb him, as he had the reliance already mentioned on the intelligence of Judith. It was the season of the shortest nights, and it was not long before the deep obscurity which precedes the day began to yield to the returning light. If any earthly scene could be presented to the senses of man that might soothe his passions and temper his ferocity, it was that which grew upon the eyes of hudder and hurry as the hours advanced. Changing night to morning. There were the usual soft tints of the sky in which neither the gloom of darkness nor the brilliancy of the sun prevails, and under which objects appear more unearthly, and we might add holy, than at any other portion of the twenty-four hours. The beautiful and soothing calm of eventide has been extolled by a thousand poets, and yet it does not bring with it the far-reaching and sublime thoughts of the half-hour that precedes the rising of a summer sun. In the one case the panorama is gradually hid from the sight, while in the other its objects start out from the unfolding picture, first dim and misty, then marked in, in solemn background. Next seen in the witchery of an increasing, a thing as different as possible from the decreasing twilight and finally mellow, distinct and luminous as the rays of the great center of light diffuse themselves in the atmosphere. The hymns of birds, too, have no moral counterpart in the retreat to the roost or the flight to the nest, and these invariably accompany the advent of the great day, until the appearance of the sun itself bathes in deep joy the land and sea. All this, however, hutter and hurry witnessed without experiencing any of that calm delight which the spectacle is want to bring, when the thoughts are just and the aspirations pure. They not only witnessed it, but they witnessed it under circumstances that had a tendency to increase its power and to heighten its charms. Only one solitary object became visible in the returning light that had received its form or uses from human taste or human desires, which has often deformed as beautify a landscape. This was the castle. All the rest being native and fresh from the hand of God. That singular residence, too, was in keeping with the natural objects of the view, starting out from the gloom, quaint, picturesque and ornamental. Nevertheless the whole was lost on the observers, who knew no feeling of poetry, had lost their sense of natural devotion in lives of obdurate and narrow selfishness, and had little other sympathy with nature than that which originated with her lowest wants. As soon as the light was sufficiently strong to allow of a distinct view of the lake, and more particularly of its shores, Goddard turned the head of the ark directly towards the castle, with the avowed intention of taking possession, for the day at least, as the place most favourable for meeting his daughters and for carrying on his operations against the Indians. By this time Chingachuk was up, and HIST was heard stirring among the furniture of the kitchen. The place for which they steered was distant only a mile, and the air was sufficiently favourable to permit it to be reached by means of the sale. At this moment too, to render the appearances generally auspicious, the canoe of Judith was seen floating northward in the broadest part of the lake, having actually passed the scow in the darkness in obedience to no other power than that of the elements. Hutter got his glass, and took a long and anxious survey to ascertain if his daughters were in the light-craft or not, and a slight exclamation like that of joy escaped him as he caught a glimpse of what he rightly conceived to be a part of Judith's dress above the top of the canoe. At the next instant the girl arose and was seen gazing about her, like one assuring herself of her situation. A minute later, had he was seen on her knees in the other end of the canoe, repeating the prayers that had been taught her in childhood by a misguided but repentant mother. As Hutter laid down the glass, still drawn to its focus, the serpent raised it to his eye and turned it towards the canoe. It was the first time he had ever used such an instrument, and his stunder stood by his, ah, the expression of his face, and his entire mien, that something wonderful had excited his admiration. It is well known that the American Indians, more particularly those of superior characters and stations, singularly maintained their self-possession and stoicism in the midst of the flood of marbles that present themselves in their occasional visits through the abodes of civilization. And Chinguchuk had imbibed enough of this impassibility to suppress any very undignified manifestation of surprise. With his, however, no such law was binding, and when her lover managed to bring the glass in a line with the canoe and her eye was applied to the smaller end, the girl started back in alarm. Then she clapped her hands with delight and a laugh, the usual attendant of untutored admiration followed. A few minutes suffice to enable this quick-witted girl to manage the instrument for herself, and she directed it at every prominent object that struck her fancy. Finding a rest in one of the windows she and the Delaware first surveyed the lake, then the shores, the hills, and finally the castle attracted their attention. After a long steady gaze at the latter, Hist took away her eye and spoke to her lover in a low earnest manner. Chinguchuk immediately placed his eye to the glass, and his look even exceeded that of his betrothed in length and intensity. Again they spoke together, confidentially, appearing to compare opinions after which the glass was laid aside, and the young warrior quitted the cabin to join hudder and hurry. The ark was slowly but steadily advancing, and the castle was materially within half a mile when Chinguchuk joined the two white men in the stern of the scow. His manner was calm, but it was evident to the others, who were familiar with the habits of the Indians, that he had something to communicate. Hurry was generally prompt to speak, and, according to custom, he took the lead on this occasion. Out with it, Redskin, he cried in his usual rough manner, Have you discovered a chipmunk in a tree, or is there a salmon trout swimming under the bottom of the scow? You find what a pale face can do in the way of eyes now, Serpent, and mustn't wonder that they can see the land of the Indians from afar off. No good to go to castle, put in Chinguchuk with emphasis. The moment the other gave him an opportunity of speaking. Here on there. The devil he is. If this should turn out to be true, floating Tom, a pretty trap we were about to pull down on our heads. Here on there. Well, this may be so. But no signs can I see anything near or about the old hut, but logs, water, and bark, baiting two or three windows and one door. Hutter called for the glass, and took a careful survey of the spot, before he ventured an opinion at all. Then he somewhat cavalierly expressed his dissent from that given by the Indian. You've got this glass wrong and foremost, Delaware, continued hurry. Neither the old man nor I can see any trail in the lake. No trail. Water make no trail, said Hist, eagerly. Stop boat. No go to near. Here on there. Aye, that's it. Stick to the same tale, and more people will believe you. I hope, Sarpent, that you and your gal will agree in telling the same story after marriage, as well as you do now. Here on there. Whereabouts is he to be seen in the padlock, or the chains, or the logs? There isn't a jail in the colony that has a more lock-up look about it than old Tom's Chiente, and I know something about jails from experience. No see Moccasin, said Hist, impatiently. Why no look, and see him. Give me the glass, Harry, interrupted Hutter, and lower the sail. It is seldom that an Indian woman meddles, and when she does there's generally a cause for it. There is truly a Moccasin floating against one of the piles, and it may or may not be a sign that the castle has an escaped visitors in our absence. Moccasins are no rarities, however, for I wear them myself, and dear Slayer wear them, and you wear them March, and for that matter so does Hattie. Quite as often as she wears shoes, though I never yet saw Judith trust her pretty foot in a Moccasin. Harry had lowered the sail, and by this time the ark was within two hundred yards of the castle, setting in nearer and nearer each moment, but at a rate too slow to excite any uneasiness. Each now took the glass in turn, and the castle and everything near it was subjected to a scrutiny still more rigid than ever. There the Moccasin lay, beyond a question, floating so lightly and preserving its form so well that it was scarcely wet. It had caught by a piece of the rough bark of one of the piles on the exterior of the water palisade that formed the dock already mentioned, which circumstance alone prevented it from drifting away before the air. There were many modes, however, of accounting for the presence of the Moccasin, without supposing it to have been dropped by an enemy. It might have fallen from the platform even while Hutter was in possession of the place, and drifted to the spot where it was now seen, remaining unnoticed until detected by the acute vision of HIST. It might have drifted from a distance up or down the lake and accidentally become attached to the pile or palisade. It might have been thrown from a window and alighted in that particular place, or it might certainly have fallen from a scout or an assailant during the past night who was obliged to abandon it to the lake in the deep obscurity which then prevailed. All these conjectures passed from Hutter to hurry, the former appearing disposed to regard the omen as a little sinister, while the latter treated it with his usual reckless disdain. As for the Indian, he was of opinion that the Moccasin should be viewed as one would regard a trail in the woods which might or might not, equally, prove to be threatening. HIST, however, had something available to propose. She declared her readiness to take a canoe to proceed to the palisade and bring away the Moccasin, when its ornaments would show whether it came from the Canada's or not. Both the white men were disposed to accept this offer, but the Delaware interfered to prevent the risk. If such a service was to be undertaken it best became a warrior to expose himself in its execution, and he gave his refusal to let his betrothed proceed, much in the quiet but brief manner in which an Indian husband issues his commands. Well then, Delaware, go yourself if you're so tender of your squaw, put in the unceremonious hurry. That Moccasin must be had, or floating time will keep off here at arm's length till the hearth cools in his cabin. It's but a little deerskin after all, and cut this away or that away it's not a scarecrow to frighten true hunters from their game. What say you, serpent? Shall you or I canoe it? Let red men go. Better eyes than pale face. No hereon trick better, too. That I'll gain say to the hour of my death. A white man's eyes and a white man's nose, and for that matter his sight and ears are all better than an Indian's when fairly tried. Time and again have I put that to the proof, and what is proved is certain. Still I suppose the poorest vagabond going, whether Delaware or hereon, can find his way to yonder hot and back again. And so, serpent, use your paddle and welcome. Chingochkoek was already in the canoe, and he dipped the implement the other named into the water, just as hurry's limbertongues ceased. Watawa saw the departure of her warrior on this occasion with the submissive silence of an Indian girl, but with most of the misgivings and apprehensions of her sex. Throughout the whole of the past night, and down to the moment when they used the glass together in the hut, Chingochkoek had manifested as much manly tenderness towards his betrothed as one of the most refined sentiment could have shown under similar circumstances. But now every sign of weakness was lost in an appearance of stern resolution. Although hissed, timidly endeavored to catch his eye as the canoe left the side of the ark, the pride of a warrior would not permit him to meet her fond and anxious looks. The canoe departed and not a wandering glance rewarded her solicitude. Nor were the Delaware's care and gravity misplaced, under the impressions with which he proceeded on this enterprise. If the enemy had really gained possession of the building, he was obliged to put himself under the very muzzles of their rifles, as it were, and this too without the protection of any of that cover which forms so essential an ally in Indian warfare. It is scarcely possible to conceive of a service more dangerous, and had the serpent been fortified by the experience of ten more years, or had his friend the deerslayer been present, it would never have been attempted. The advantage is in no degree compensating for the risk. But the pride of an Indian chief was acted on by the rivalry of color, and it is not unlikely that the presence of the very creature from whom his ideas of manhood prevented his receiving a single glance, overflowing as he was with the love she so well merited, had no small influence on his determination. Chingoch Kuk paddled steadily towards the palisades, keeping his eyes on the different loops of the building. Each instant he expected to see the muzzle of a rifle protruded, or to hear its sharp crack. But he succeeded in reaching the piles in safety. Here he was, in a measure protected, having the heads of the palisades between him and the hut, and the chances of any attempt on his life while thus covered, were greatly diminished. The canoe had reached the piles with its head inclining northward, and at a short distance from the moccasin. Instead of turning to pick up the latter, the Delaware slowly made the circuit of the whole building, deliberately examining every object that should betray the presence of enemies, or the commission of violence. Not a single sign could he discover, however, to confirm the suspicions that had been awakened. The stillness of desertion pervaded the building. Not a fastening was displaced. Not a window had been broken. The door looked as secure as at the hour when it was closed by hotter. And even the gate of the dock had all the customary fastenings. In short, the most wary and jealous eye could detect no other evidence of the visit of enemies than that which was connected with the appearance of the floating moccasin. The Delaware was now greatly at a loss how to proceed. At one moment, as he came round in front of the castle, he was on the point of stepping up on the platform and of applying his eye to one of the loops, with a view of taking a direct personal inspection of the state of things within. But he hesitated. Though of little experience in such matters himself, he had heard so much of Indian artifices, through traditions, had listened with such breathless interest to the narration of the escapes of the elder warriors, and, in short, was so well schooled in the theory of his calling, that it was almost as impossible for him to make any gross blunder on such an occasion, as it was for a well-grounded scholar who had commenced correctly to fail in solving his problem in mathematics. Relinquishing the momentary intention to land, the chief slowly pursued his course round the palisades. As he approached the moccasin, having now nearly completed the circuit of the building, he threw the ominous article into the canoe by a dexterous and almost imperceptible movement of his paddle. He was now ready to depart, but retreat was even more dangerous than the approach as the eye could no longer be riveted on the loops. If there was really any one in the castle, the motive of the Delaware in reconnoitering must be understood, and it was the wisest way, however perilous it might be, to retire with an air of confidence, as if all distrust were terminated by the examination. Such, accordingly, was the course adopted by the Indian, who paddled deliberately away, taking the direction of the Ark, suffering no nervous impulse to quicken the emotions of his arms, or to induce him to turn even a furtive glance behind him. No tender wife reared in the refinements of the highest civilization ever met a husband on his return from the field, with more of sensibility in her countenance than his discovered, as she saw the great serpent of the Delaware's step unharmed into the Ark. Still she repressed her emotion, though the joy that sparkled in her dark eyes, and the smile that lighted her pretty mouth, spoke a language that her betrothed could understand. Well, Sarpent, cried hurry, always the first to speak, what news from the muskrats? Did they shew their teeth, as you surrounded their dwelling? I know like him, sententiously returned the Delaware too still, so still can see silence. That's downright engine, as if anything could make less noise than nothing. If you've no better reason than this to give, old Tom had better hoist his sail, and go and get his breakfast under his own roof. What has become of the moccasin? Here, returned Chingoch Cook, holding up his prize for the general inspection. The moccasin was examined, and hissed confidently pronounced it to be Huron, by the manner in which the porcupine's quills were arranged on its front. Hotter and the Delaware too were decidedly of the same opinion. Admitting all this, however, it did not necessarily follow that its owners were in the castle. The moccasin might have drifted from a distance, or it might have fallen from the foot of some scout who had quitted the place when his errand was accomplished. In short, it explained nothing, while it awakened so much distrust. Under the circumstances, hotter and hurry were not meant to be long deterred from proceeding by proofs as slight as that of the moccasin. They hoisted the sail again, and the ark was soon in motion heading towards the castle. The wind or air continued light, and the movement was sufficiently slow to allow of a deliberate survey of the building as the scow approached. The same death-like silence reigned, and it was difficult to fancy that anything possessing animal life could be in or around the place. Unlike the serpent, whose imagination had acted through his traditions until he was ready to perceive an artificial in a natural stillness, the others saw nothing to apprehend in a tranquillity that, in truth, merely denoted the repose of inanimate objects. The accessories of the scene too were soothing and calm rather than exciting. The day had not yet advanced so far as to bring the sun above the horizon, but the heavens, the atmosphere, and the woods and lake were all seen under that softened light which immediately precedes his appearance, and which perhaps is the most witching period of the four and twenty hours. It is the moment when everything is distinct, even the atmosphere seeming to possess a liquid lucidity, the hues appearing gray and softened, with the outlines of objects defined, and the perspective just as moral truths that are presented in their simplicity without the meretricious aids of ornament or glitter. In a word, it is the moment when the senses seem to recover their powers in the simplest and most accurate forms, like the mind emerging from the obscurity of doubts into the tranquillity and peace of demonstration. Most of the influence that such a scene is apt to produce on those who are properly constituted in a moral sense was lost on hudder and hurry, but both the Delaware's, though too much accustomed to witness the loveliness of morning tide to stop to analyze their feelings, were equally sensible of the beauties of the hour, though it was probably in a way unknown to themselves. It disposed the young warrior to peace, and never had he felt less longings for the glory of the combat than when he joined hissed in the cabin, the instant the scow rubbed against the side of the platform. From the indulgence of such gentle emotions, however, he was aroused by a rude summons from hurry, who called on him to come forth and help to take in the sail and to secure the ark. Chingeshguk obeyed, and by the time he had reached the head of the scow, hurry was on the platform, stamping his feet, like one glad to touch what, by comparison, might be called terra firma, and proclaiming his indifference to the whole Huron tribe in his customary noisy dogmatical manner. Hutter had hauled a canoe up to the head of the scow, and was already about to undo the fastenings of the gate, in order to enter within the dock. March had no other motive in landing than a senseless bravado, and having shaken the door in a manner to put its solidity to the proof, he joined Hutter in the canoe, and began to aid him in opening the gate. The reader will remember that this mode of entrance was rendered necessary by the manner in which the owner of this singular residence habitually secured it, whenever it was left empty, more particularly at moments when danger was apprehended. Hutter had placed a line in the Delaware's hand on entering the canoe, intimating that the other was to fasten the ark to the platform and to lower the sail. Instead of following these directions, however, Chingeshguk left the sail standing and throwing the bite of the rope over the head of a pile, he permitted the ark to drift round till it lay against the defenses, in a position where it could be entered only by means of a boat or by passing along the summits of the palisades, the latter being an exploit that required some command of the feet, and which was not to be attempted in the face of a resolute enemy. In consequence of this change in the position of the skull, which was effective before Hutter had succeeded in opening the gate of his dock, the ark and the castle lay, as sailors would express it, yard arm and yard arm, kept asunder some ten or twelve feet by means of the piles. As the skull pressed close against the latter, their tops formed a species of breastwork that rose to the height of a man's head, covering in a certain degree the parts of the skull that were not protected by the cabin. The Delaware surveyed this arrangement with great satisfaction, and as the canoe of Hutter passed through the gate into the dock, he thought that he might defend his position against any garrison in the castle, for sufficient time, could he but have had the helping arm of his friend Dear Slayer, as it was he felt comparatively secure, and no longer suffered the keen apprehensions he had lately experienced in behalf of HIST. A single shove sent the canoe from the gate to the trap beneath the castle. Here Hutter found all fast, neither padlock nor chain nor bar having been molested. The key was produced, the locks removed, the chain loosened, and the trap pushed upward. Hurry now thrust his head in at the opening. The arms followed, and the colossal legs rose without any apparent effort. At the next instant his heavy foot was heard stamping in the passage above, that which separated the chambers of the father and the daughters, and into which the trap opened. He then gave a shout of triumph. Come on, old Tom! The reckless woodsman called out from within the building. Here's your tenement, safe and sound, eye, and as empty as a nut that has passed half an hour in the paws of a squirrel. The Delaware brags of being able to see silence. Let him come here, and he may feel it in the bargain. Any silence where you are, hurry, Harry, returned Hutter, thrusting his head in at the hole as he uttered the last word, which instantly caused his voice to sound smothered to those without. Any silence where you are ought to be both seen and felt for it's unlike any other silence. Come come, old fellow, hoist yourself up, and we'll open doors and windows and let in the fresh air to brighten up matters. Few words in troublesome times make men the best friends. Your Dr. Judith is what I call a misbehaving young woman, and the hold of the whole family on me is so much weakened by her late conduct, that it wouldn't take a speech as long as the ten commandments to send me off to the river, leaving you in your traps, your ark, and your children, your manservants, and your maidservants, your oxen, and your asses to fight this battle with the Iroquois by yourselves. Open that window, floating Tom, and I'll blunder through and do the same job to the front door. A moment of silence succeeded, and a noise like that produced by the fall of a heavy body followed. A deep execution from hurry succeeded, and then the whole interior of the building seemed alive. The noises that now so suddenly, and we may add so unexpectedly even to the Delaware, broke the stillness within, could not be mistaken. They resembled those that would be produced by a struggle between tigers and a cage. Once or twice the indian yell was given, but it seemed smothered, and as if it proceeded from exhausted or compressed throats, and in a single instance a deep and another shockingly revolting execution came from the throat of hurry. It appeared as if bodies were constantly thrown upon the floor with violence, as often rising to renew the struggle. Chingichuk felt greatly at a loss what to do. He had all the arms in the ark, hotter and hurry having proceeded without their rifles, but there was no means of using them, or passing them to the hands of their owners. The combatants were literally caged, rendering it almost as impossible under the circumstances to get out as to get into the building. Then there was hissed to embarrass his movements and to cripple his efforts. With a view to relieve himself from this disadvantage he told the girl to take the remaining canoe and to join Hutter's daughters, who were incautiously but deliberately approaching in order to save herself and to warn the others of their danger. But the girl positively and firmly refused to comply. At that moment no human power short of an exercise of superior physical force could have induced her to quit the ark. The exigency of the moment did not admit a delay, and the Delaware seeing no possibility of serving his friends cut the line, and by a strong shove forced the scowl some twenty feet clear of the piles. Here he took the sweeps and succeeding in getting a short distance to windward, if any direction could be thus termed in so light an air, but neither the time nor his skill at the oars allowed the distance to be great. When he ceased rowing the ark might have been a hundred yards from the platform, and half that distance to the southward of it, the sail being lowered. Judith and Hetty had now discovered that something was wrong, and were stationary a thousand feet farther north. All this while the furious struggle continued within the house. In scenes like these events thicken and less time than they can be related. From the moment when the first fall was heard within the building to that when the Delaware ceased his awkward attempts to row, it might have been three or four minutes, but it had evidently served to weaken the combatants. The oaths and execrations of hurry were no longer heard, and even the struggles had lost some of their force and fury. Nevertheless they still continued with unabated perseverance. At this instant the door flew open and the fight was transferred to the platform, the light and the open air. A Huron had undone the fastenings of the door, and three or four of his tribe rushed after him upon the narrow space as if glad to escape from some terrible scene within. The body of another followed pitched headlong through the door with terrific violence, then march appeared. Raging like a lion at bay, and for an instant freed from his numerous enemies, Hutter was already a captive and bound. There was now a pause in the struggle which resembled a lull in a tempest. The necessity of breathing was common to all, and the combatants stood watching each other, like mastiffs that had been driven from their holds and are waiting for a favorable opportunity of renewing them. We shall profit by this pause to relate the manner in which the Indians had obtained possession of the castle, and this the more willingly because it may be necessary to explain to the reader why a conflict which had been so close and fierce should have also been so comparatively bloodless. Ribbon Oak and his companion, particularly the latter who would appear to be a subordinate and occupied solely with his raft, had made the closest observations in their visits to the castle. Even the boy had brought away minute and valuable information. By these means the Hurons obtained a general idea of the manner in which the place was constructed and secured, as well as of details that enabled them to act intelligently in the dark. Notwithstanding the care that Hutter had taken to drop the ark on the east side of the building when he was in the act of transferring the furniture from the former to the latter, he had been watched in a way to render the precaution useless. Scouts were on the lookout on the eastern as well as on the western shore of the lake, and the whole proceeding had been noted. As soon as it was dark, rafts like that already described approach from both shores to Reconoiter, and the ark had passed within fifty feet of one of them without its being discovered. The men had held lying at their length on the logs, so as to blend themselves and their slow-moving machine with the water. When these two sets of adventurers drew near the castle, they encountered each other, and after communicating their respective observations, they unhesitatingly approached the building. As had been expected, it was found empty. The rafts were immediately sent for a reinforcement to the shore, and two of the savages remained to profit by their situation. These men succeeded in getting on the roof and by removing some of the bark in entering what might be termed the garret. Here they were found by their companions. Hatchets now opened a hole through the squared logs of the upper floor, through which no less than eight of the most athletic of the Indians dropped into the rooms beneath. Here they were left, well supplied with arms and provisions, either to stand a siege or to make a sortie, as the case might require. The night was passed in sleep as as usual with Indians in a state of inactivity. The returning day brought them a view of the approach of the ark through the loops, the only manner in which light and air were now admitted, the windows being closed most effectually with plank, rudely fashioned to fifth. As soon as it was ascertained that the two white men were about to enter by the trap, the chief who directed the proceedings of the Hurons took his measures accordingly. He removed all the arms from his own people, even to the knives, in distrust of savage ferocity when awakened by personal injuries, and he hid them where they could not be found without a search. Ropes of bark were then prepared, and taking their stations in the three different rooms, they all waited for the signal to fall upon their intended captives. As soon as the party had entered the building, men without, replaced the bark of the roof, removed every sign of their visit with care, and then departed for the shore. It was one of these who had dropped his moccasin, which he had not been able to find again in the dark. Had the death of the girl been known, it is probable that nothing could have saved the lives of Hurry and Hutter. But that event occurred after the ambush was laid, and at a distance of several miles from the encampment near the castle. Such were the means that had been employed to produce the state of things we shall continue to describe. CHAPTER XIX Recording by Bill Borscht