English
“Ifearweshalloutsleepthecomingmorn
Asmuchaswethisnighthaveoverwatched!”
—MidsummerNight’sDream
Theinstanttheshockofthissuddenmisfortunehadabated,Duncanbegantomakehisobservationsontheappearanceandproceedingsoftheircaptors.
Contrarytotheusagesofthenativesinthewantonnessoftheirsuccesstheyhadrespected,notonlythepersonsofthetremblingsisters,buthisown.
Therichornamentsofhismilitaryattirehadindeedbeenrepeatedlyhandledbydifferentindividualsofthetribeswitheyesexpressingasavagelongingtopossessthebaubles;butbeforethecustomaryviolencecouldberesortedto,amandateintheauthoritativevoiceofthelargewarrior,alreadymentioned,stayedtheupliftedhand,andconvincedHeywardthattheyweretobereservedforsomeobjectofparticularmoment.
While,however,thesemanifestationsofweaknesswereexhibitedbytheyoungandvainoftheparty,themoreexperiencedwarriorscontinuedtheirsearchthroughoutbothcaverns,withanactivitythatdenotedtheywerefarfrombeingsatisfiedwiththosefruitsoftheirconquestwhichhadalreadybeenbroughttolight.
Unabletodiscoveranynewvictim,thesediligentworkersofvengeancesoonapproachedtheirmaleprisoners,pronouncingthename“LaLongueCarabine,”withafiercenessthatcouldnotbeeasilymistaken.
Duncanaffectednottocomprehendthemeaningoftheirrepeatedandviolentinterrogatories,whilehiscompanionwassparedtheeffortofasimilardeceptionbyhisignoranceofFrench.
Weariedatlengthbytheirimportunities,andapprehensiveofirritatinghiscaptorsbytoostubbornasilence,theformerlookedabouthiminquestofMagua,whomightinterprethisanswerstoquestionswhichwereateachmomentbecomingmoreearnestandthreatening.
Theconductofthissavagehadformedasolitaryexceptiontothatofallhisfellows.
Whiletheotherswerebusilyoccupiedinseekingtogratifytheirchildishpassionforfinery,byplunderingeventhemiserableeffectsofthescout,orhadbeensearchingwithsuchbloodthirstyvengeanceintheirlooksfortheirabsentowner,LeRenardhadstoodatalittledistancefromtheprisoners,withademeanorsoquietandsatisfied,astobetraythathehadalreadyeffectedthegrandpurposeofhistreachery.
WhentheeyesofHeywardfirstmetthoseofhisrecentguide,heturnedthemawayinhorroratthesinisterthoughcalmlookheencountered.
Conqueringhisdisgust,however,hewasable,withanavertedface,toaddresshissuccessfulenemy.
“LeRenardSubtilistoomuchofawarrior,”saidthereluctantHeyward,“torefusetellinganunarmedmanwhathisconquerorssay.”
“Theyaskforthehunterwhoknowsthepathsthroughthewoods,”returnedMagua,inhisbrokenEnglish,layinghishand,atthesametime,withaferocioussmile,onthebundleofleaveswithwhichawoundonhisownshoulderwasbandaged.”’LaLongueCarabine’!
Hisrifleisgood,andhiseyenevershut;but,liketheshortgunofthewhitechief,itisnothingagainstthelifeofLeSubtil.”
“LeRenardistoobravetorememberthehurtsreceivedinwar,orthehandsthatgavethem.”
“Wasitwar,whenthetiredIndianrestedatthesugartreetotastehiscorn!
whofilledthebusheswithcreepingenemies!
whodrewtheknife,whosetonguewaspeace,whilehisheartwascoloredwithblood!
DidMaguasaythatthehatchetwasoutoftheground,andthathishandhaddugitup?”
AsDuncandarednotretortuponhisaccuserbyremindinghimofhisownpremeditatedtreachery,anddisdainedtodeprecatehisresentmentbyanywordsofapology,heremainedsilent.
Maguaseemedalsocontenttorestthecontroversyaswellasallfurthercommunicationthere,forheresumedtheleaningattitudeagainsttherockfromwhich,inmomentaryenergy,hehadarisen.
Butthecryof“LaLongueCarabine”wasrenewedtheinstanttheimpatientsavagesperceivedthattheshortdialoguewasended.
“Youhear,”saidMagua,withstubbornindifference:“theredHuronscallforthelifeof‘TheLongRifle’,ortheywillhavethebloodofhimthatkeephimhid!”
“Heisgone—escaped;heisfarbeyondtheirreach.”
Renardsmiledwithcoldcontempt,asheanswered:
“Whenthewhitemandies,hethinksheisatpeace;buttheredmenknowhowtotortureeventheghostsoftheirenemies.Whereishisbody?LettheHuronsseehisscalp.”
“Heisnotdead,butescaped.”
Maguashookhisheadincredulously.
“Isheabird,tospreadhiswings;orisheafish,toswimwithoutair!Thewhitechiefreadinhisbooks,andhebelievestheHuronsarefools!”
“Thoughnofish,‘TheLongRifle’canswim.Hefloateddownthestreamwhenthepowderwasallburned,andwhentheeyesoftheHuronswerebehindacloud.”
“Andwhydidthewhitechiefstay?”demandedthestillincredulousIndian.“Isheastonethatgoestothebottom,ordoesthescalpburnhishead?”
“ThatIamnotstone,yourdeadcomrade,whofellintothefalls,mightanswer,werethelifestillinhim,”saidtheprovokedyoungman,using,inhisanger,thatboastfullanguagewhichwasmostlikelytoexcitetheadmirationofanIndian.
“Thewhitemanthinksnonebutcowardsdeserttheirwomen.”
Maguamutteredafewwords,inaudibly,betweenhisteeth,beforehecontinued,aloud:
“CantheDelawaresswim,too,aswellascrawlinthebushes?Whereis‘LeGrosSerpent’?”
Duncan,whoperceivedbytheuseoftheseCanadianappellations,thathislatecompanionsweremuchbetterknowntohisenemiesthantohimself,answered,reluctantly:“Healsoisgonedownwiththewater.”
”’LeCerfAgile’isnothere?”
“Iknownotwhomyoucall‘TheNimbleDeer’,”saidDuncangladlyprofitingbyanyexcusetocreatedelay.
“Uncas,”returnedMagua,pronouncingtheDelawarenamewithevengreaterdifficultythanhespokehisEnglishwords.”’BoundingElk’iswhatthewhitemansays,whenhecallstotheyoungMohican.”
“Hereissomeconfusioninnamesbetweenus,LeRenard,”saidDuncan,hopingtoprovokeadiscussion.
“DaimistheFrenchfordeer,andcerfforstag;elanisthetrueterm,whenonewouldspeakofanelk.”
“Yes,”mutteredtheIndian,inhisnativetongue;“thepalefacesareprattlingwomen!
theyhavetwowordsforeachthing,whileared–skinwillmakethesoundofhisvoicespeaktohim.”
Then,changinghislanguage,hecontinued,adheringtotheimperfectnomenclatureofhisprovincialinstructors.
“Thedeerisswift,butweak;theelkisswift,butstrong;andthesonof‘LeSerpent’is‘LeCerfAgile.’Hasheleapedtherivertothewoods?”
“IfyoumeantheyoungerDelaware,he,too,hasgonedownwiththewater.”
AstherewasnothingimprobabletoanIndianinthemanneroftheescape,Maguaadmittedthetruthofwhathehadheard,withareadinessthataffordedadditionalevidencehowlittlehewouldprizesuchworthlesscaptives.
Withhiscompanions,however,thefeelingwasmanifestlydifferent.
TheHuronshadawaitedtheresultofthisshortdialoguewithcharacteristicpatience,andwithasilencethatincreaseduntiltherewasageneralstillnessintheband.
WhenHeywardceasedtospeak,theyturnedtheireyes,asoneman,onMagua,demanding,inthisexpressivemanner,anexplanationofwhathadbeensaid.
Theirinterpreterpointedtotheriver,andmadethemacquaintedwiththeresult,asmuchbytheactionasbythefewwordsheuttered.
Whenthefactwasgenerallyunderstood,thesavagesraisedafrightfulyell,whichdeclaredtheextentoftheirdisappointment.
Someranfuriouslytothewater’sedge,beatingtheairwithfranticgestures,whileothersspatupontheelement,toresentthesupposedtreasonithadcommittedagainsttheiracknowledgedrightsasconquerors.
Afew,andtheynottheleastpowerfulandterrificoftheband,threwloweringlooks,inwhichthefiercestpassionwasonlytemperedbyhabitualself–command,atthosecaptiveswhostillremainedintheirpower,whileoneortwoevengaveventtotheirmalignantfeelingsbythemostmenacinggestures,againstwhichneitherthesexnorthebeautyofthesisterswasanyprotection.
TheyoungsoldiermadeadesperatebutfruitlessefforttospringtothesideofAlice,whenhesawthedarkhandofasavagetwistedintherichtresseswhichwereflowinginvolumesoverhershoulders,whileaknifewaspassedaroundtheheadfromwhichtheyfell,asiftodenotethehorridmannerinwhichitwasabouttoberobbedofitsbeautifulornament.
Buthishandswerebound;andatthefirstmovementhemade,hefeltthegraspofthepowerfulIndianwhodirectedtheband,pressinghisshoulderlikeavise.
Immediatelyconscioushowunavailinganystruggleagainstsuchanoverwhelmingforcemustprove,hesubmittedtohisfate,encouraginghisgentlecompanionsbyafewlowandtenderassurances,thatthenativesseldomfailedtothreatenmorethantheyperformed.
ButwhileDuncanresortedtothesewordsofconsolationtoquiettheapprehensionsofthesisters,hewasnotsoweakastodeceivehimself.
HewellknewthattheauthorityofanIndianchiefwassolittleconventional,thatitwasoftenermaintainedbyphysicalsuperioritythanbyanymoralsupremacyhemightpossess.
Thedangerwas,therefore,magnifiedexactlyinproportiontothenumberofthesavagespiritsbywhichtheyweresurrounded.
Themostpositivemandatefromhimwhoseemedtheacknowledgedleader,wasliabletobeviolatedateachmomentbyanyrashhandthatmightchoosetosacrificeavictimtothemanesofsomedeadfriendorrelative.
While,therefore,hesustainedanoutwardappearanceofcalmnessandfortitude,hisheartleapedintohisthroat,wheneveranyoftheirfiercecaptorsdrewnearerthancommontothehelplesssisters,orfastenedoneoftheirsullen,wanderinglooksonthosefragileformswhichweresolittleabletoresisttheslightestassault.
Hisapprehensionswere,however,greatlyrelieved,whenhesawthattheleaderhadsummonedhiswarriorstohimselfincounsel.
Theirdeliberationswereshort,anditwouldseem,bythesilenceofmostoftheparty,thedecisionunanimous.
BythefrequencywithwhichthefewspeakerspointedinthedirectionoftheencampmentofWebb,itwasapparenttheydreadedtheapproachofdangerfromthatquarter.
Thisconsiderationprobablyhastenedtheirdetermination,andquickenedthesubsequentmovements.
Duringhisshortconference,Heyward,findingarespitefromhisgravestfears,hadleisuretoadmirethecautiousmannerinwhichtheHuronshadmadetheirapproaches,evenafterhostilitieshadceased.
Ithasalreadybeenstatedthattheupperhalfoftheislandwasanakedrock,anddestituteofanyotherdefensesthanafewscatteredlogsofdriftwood.
Theyhadselectedthispointtomaketheirdescent,havingbornethecanoethroughthewoodaroundthecataractforthatpurpose.
Placingtheirarmsinthelittlevesseladozenmenclingingtoitssideshadtrustedthemselvestothedirectionofthecanoe,whichwascontrolledbytwoofthemostskillfulwarriors,inattitudesthatenabledthemtocommandaviewofthedangerouspassage.
Favoredbythisarrangement,theytouchedtheheadoftheislandatthatpointwhichhadprovedsofataltotheirfirstadventurers,butwiththeadvantagesofsuperiornumbers,andthepossessionoffirearms.
ThatsuchhadbeenthemanneroftheirdescentwasrenderedquiteapparenttoDuncan;fortheynowborethelightbarkfromtheupperendoftherock,andplaceditinthewater,nearthemouthoftheoutercavern.
Assoonasthischangewasmade,theleadermadesignstotheprisonerstodescendandenter.
Asresistancewasimpossible,andremonstranceuseless,Heywardsettheexampleofsubmission,byleadingthewayintothecanoe,wherehewassoonseatedwiththesistersandthestillwonderingDavid.
NotwithstandingtheHuronswerenecessarilyignorantofthelittlechannelsamongtheeddiesandrapidsofthestream,theyknewthecommonsignsofsuchanavigationtoowelltocommitanymaterialblunder.
Whenthepilotchosenforthetaskofguidingthecanoehadtakenhisstation,thewholebandplungedagainintotheriver,thevesselglideddownthecurrent,andinafewmomentsthecaptivesfoundthemselvesonthesouthbankofthestream,nearlyoppositetothepointwheretheyhadstruckittheprecedingevening.
Herewasheldanothershortbutearnestconsultation,duringwhichthehorses,towhosepanictheirownersascribedtheirheaviestmisfortune,wereledfromthecoverofthewoods,andbroughttotheshelteredspot.Thebandnowdivided.
Thegreatchief,sooftenmentioned,mountingthechargerofHeyward,ledthewaydirectlyacrosstheriver,followedbymostofhispeople,anddisappearedinthewoods,leavingtheprisonersinchargeofsixsavages,atwhoseheadwasLeRenardSubtil.
Duncanwitnessedalltheirmovementswithreneweduneasiness.
Hehadbeenfondofbelieving,fromtheuncommonforbearanceofthesavages,thathewasreservedasaprisonertobedeliveredtoMontcalm.
Asthethoughtsofthosewhoareinmiseryseldomslumber,andtheinventionisnevermorelivelythanwhenitisstimulatedbyhope,howeverfeebleandremote,hehadevenimaginedthattheparentalfeelingsofMunroweretobemadeinstrumentalinseducinghimfromhisdutytotheking.
ForthoughtheFrenchcommanderboreahighcharacterforcourageandenterprise,hewasalsothoughttobeexpertinthosepoliticalpractiseswhichdonotalwaysrespectthenicerobligationsofmorality,andwhichsogenerallydisgracedtheEuropeandiplomacyofthatperiod.
Allthosebusyandingeniousspeculationswerenowannihilatedbytheconductofhiscaptors.
ThatportionofthebandwhohadfollowedthehugewarriortooktheroutetowardthefootoftheHorican,andnootherexpectationwasleftforhimselfandcompanions,thanthattheyweretoberetainedashopelesscaptivesbytheirsavageconquerors.
Anxioustoknowtheworst,andwilling,insuchanemergency,totrythepotencyofgoldheovercamehisreluctancetospeaktoMagua.
Addressinghimselftohisformerguide,whohadnowassumedtheauthorityandmannerofonewhowastodirectthefuturemovementsoftheparty,hesaid,intonesasfriendlyandconfidingashecouldassume:
“IwouldspeaktoMagua,whatisfitonlyforsogreatachieftohear.”
TheIndianturnedhiseyesontheyoungsoldierscornfully,asheanswered:
“Speak;treeshavenoears.”
“ButtheredHuronsarenotdeaf;andcounselthatisfitforthegreatmenofanationwouldmaketheyoungwarriorsdrunk.IfMaguawillnotlisten,theofficerofthekingknowshowtobesilent.”
Thesavagespokecarelesslytohiscomrades,whowerebusied,aftertheirawkwardmanner,inpreparingthehorsesforthereceptionofthesisters,andmovedalittletooneside,whitherbyacautiousgestureheinducedHeywardtofollow.
“Now,speak,”hesaid;“ifthewordsaresuchasMaguashouldhear.”
“LeRenardSubtilhasprovedhimselfworthyofthehonorablenamegiventohimbyhisCanadafathers,”commencedHeyward;“Iseehiswisdom,andallthathehasdoneforus,andshallrememberitwhenthehourtorewardhimarrives.Yes!
Renardhasprovedthatheisnotonlyagreatchiefincouncil,butonewhoknowshowtodeceivehisenemies!”
“WhathasRenarddone?”coldlydemandedtheIndian.
“What!hashenotseenthatthewoodswerefilledwithoutlyingpartiesoftheenemies,andthattheserpentcouldnotstealthroughthemwithoutbeingseen?
Then,didhenotlosehispathtoblindtheeyesoftheHurons?
Didhenotpretendtogobacktohistribe,whohadtreatedhimill,anddrivenhimfromtheirwigwamslikeadog?
Andwhenhesawwhathewishedtodo,didwenotaidhim,bymakingafalseface,thattheHuronsmightthinkthewhitemanbelievedthathisfriendwashisenemy?Isnotallthistrue?
AndwhenLeSubtilhadshuttheeyesandstoppedtheearsofhisnationbyhiswisdom,didtheynotforgetthattheyhadoncedonehimwrong,andforcedhimtofleetotheMohawks?
Anddidtheynotleavehimonthesouthsideoftheriver,withtheirprisoners,whiletheyhavegonefoolishlyonthenorth?
DoesnotRenardmeantoturnlikeafoxonhisfootsteps,andtocarrytotherichandgray–headedScotchmanhisdaughters?
Yes,Magua,Iseeitall,andIhavealreadybeenthinkinghowsomuchwisdomandhonestyshouldberepaid.
First,thechiefofWilliamHenrywillgiveasagreatchiefshouldforsuchaservice.
ThemedalofMaguawillnolongerbeoftin,butofbeatengold;hishornwillrunoverwithpowder;dollarswillbeasplentyinhispouchaspebblesontheshoreofHorican;andthedeerwilllickhishand,fortheywillknowittobevaintoflyfromtheriflehewillcarry!
Asformyself,IknownothowtoexceedthegratitudeoftheScotchman,butI—yes,Iwill—”
IthaslongbeenapracticewiththewhitestoconciliatetheimportantmenoftheIndiansbypresentingmedals,whicharewornintheplaceoftheirownrudeornaments.
ThosegivenbytheEnglishgenerallybeartheimpressionofthereigningking,andthosegivenbytheAmericansthatofthepresident.
“Whatwilltheyoungchief,whocomesfromtowardthesun,give?”
demandedtheHuron,observingthatHeywardhesitatedinhisdesiretoendtheenumerationofbenefitswiththatwhichmightformtheclimaxofanIndian’swishes.
“Hewillmakethefire–waterfromtheislandsinthesaltlakeflowbeforethewigwamofMagua,untiltheheartoftheIndianshallbelighterthanthefeathersofthehumming–bird,andhisbreathsweeterthanthewildhoneysuckle.”
LeRenardhadlistenedgravelyasHeywardslowlyproceededinthissubtlespeech.
WhentheyoungmanmentionedtheartificehesupposedtheIndiantohavepractisedonhisownnation,thecountenanceofthelistenerwasveiledinanexpressionofcautiousgravity.
AttheallusiontotheinjurywhichDuncanaffectedtobelievehaddriventheHuronfromhisnativetribe,agleamofsuchungovernableferocityflashedfromtheother’seyes,asinducedtheadventurousspeakertobelievehehadstrucktheproperchord.
Andbythetimehereachedthepartwherehesoartfullyblendedthethirstofvengeancewiththedesireofgain,hehad,atleast,obtainedacommandofthedeepestattentionofthesavage.
ThequestionputbyLeRenardhadbeencalm,andwithallthedignityofanIndian;butitwasquiteapparent,bythethoughtfulexpressionofthelistener’scountenance,thattheanswerwasmostcunninglydevised.
TheHuronmusedafewmoments,andthenlayinghishandontherudebandagesofhiswoundedshoulder,hesaid,withsomeenergy:
“Dofriendsmakesuchmarks?”
“Would‘LaLongueCarbine’cutonesoslightonanenemy?”
“DotheDelawarescrawluponthosetheylovelikesnakes,twistingthemselvestostrike?”
“Would‘LeGrosSerpent’havebeenheardbytheearsofonehewishedtobedeaf?”
“Doesthewhitechiefburnhispowderinthefacesofhisbrothers?”
“Doesheevermisshisaim,whenseriouslybenttokill?”returnedDuncan,smilingwithwellactedsincerity.
Anotherlonganddeliberatepausesucceededthesesententiousquestionsandreadyreplies.DuncansawthattheIndianhesitated.
Inordertocompletehisvictory,hewasintheactofrecommencingtheenumerationoftherewards,whenMaguamadeanexpressivegestureandsaid:
“Enough;LeRenardisawisechief,andwhathedoeswillbeseen.Go,andkeepthemouthshut.WhenMaguaspeaks,itwillbethetimetoanswer.”
Heyward,perceivingthattheeyesofhiscompanionwerewarilyfastenedontherestoftheband,fellbackimmediately,inordertoavoidtheappearanceofanysuspiciousconfederacywiththeirleader.
Maguaapproachedthehorses,andaffectedtobewellpleasedwiththediligenceandingenuityofhiscomrades.
HethensignedtoHeywardtoassistthesistersintothesaddles,forheseldomdeignedtousetheEnglishtongue,unlessurgedbysomemotiveofmorethanusualmoment.
Therewasnolongeranyplausiblepretextfordelay;andDuncanwasobliged,howeverreluctantly,tocomply.
Asheperformedthisoffice,hewhisperedhisrevivinghopesintheearsofthetremblingfemales,who,throughdreadofencounteringthesavagecountenancesoftheircaptors,seldomraisedtheireyesfromtheground.
ThemareofDavidhadbeentakenwiththefollowersofthelargechief;inconsequence,itsowner,aswellasDuncan,wascompelledtojourneyonfoot.
Thelatterdidnot,however,somuchregretthiscircumstance,asitmightenablehimtoretardthespeedoftheparty;forhestillturnedhislonginglooksinthedirectionofFortEdward,inthevainexpectationofcatchingsomesoundfromthatquarteroftheforest,whichmightdenotetheapproachofsuccor.
Whenallwereprepared,Maguamadethesignaltoproceed,advancinginfronttoleadthepartyinperson.
NextfollowedDavid,whowasgraduallycomingtoatruesenseofhiscondition,astheeffectsofthewoundbecamelessandlessapparent.
Thesistersrodeinhisrear,withHeywardattheirside,whiletheIndiansflankedtheparty,andbroughtupthecloseofthemarch,withacautionthatseemednevertotire.
Inthismannertheyproceededinuninterruptedsilence,exceptwhenHeywardaddressedsomesolitarywordofcomforttothefemales,orDavidgaveventtothemoaningsofhisspirit,inpiteousexclamations,whichheintendedshouldexpressthehumilityofresignation.
Theirdirectionlaytowardthesouth,andinacoursenearlyoppositetotheroadtoWilliamHenry.
NotwithstandingthisapparentadherenceinMaguatotheoriginaldeterminationofhisconquerors,Heywardcouldnotbelievehistemptingbaitwassosoonforgotten;andheknewthewindingsofanIndian’spathtoowelltosupposethatitsapparentcourseleddirectlytoitsobject,whenartificewasatallnecessary.
Mileaftermilewas,however,passedthroughtheboundlesswoods,inthispainfulmanner,withoutanyprospectofaterminationtotheirjourney.
Heywardwatchedthesun,ashedartedhismeridianraysthroughthebranchesofthetrees,andpinedforthemomentwhenthepolicyofMaguashouldchangetheirroutetoonemorefavorabletohishopes.
Sometimeshefanciedthewarysavage,despairingofpassingthearmyofMontcalminsafety,washoldinghiswaytowardawell–knownbordersettlement,whereadistinguishedofficerofthecrown,andafavoredfriendoftheSixNations,heldhislargepossessions,aswellashisusualresidence.
TobedeliveredintothehandsofSirWilliamJohnsonwasfarpreferabletobeingledintothewildsofCanada;butinordertoeffecteventheformer,itwouldbenecessarytotraversetheforestformanywearyleagues,eachstepofwhichwascarryinghimfurtherfromthesceneofthewar,and,consequently,fromthepost,notonlyofhonor,butofduty.
Coraalonerememberedthepartinginjunctionsofthescout,andwheneveranopportunityoffered,shestretchedforthherarmtobendasidethetwigsthatmetherhands.
ButthevigilanceoftheIndiansrenderedthisactofprecautionbothdifficultanddangerous.
Shewasoftendefeatedinherpurpose,byencounteringtheirwatchfuleyes,whenitbecamenecessarytofeignanalarmshedidnotfeel,andoccupythelimbbysomegestureoffeminineapprehension.
Once,andonceonly,wasshecompletelysuccessful;whenshebrokedowntheboughofalargesumach,andbyasuddenthought,letherglovefallatthesameinstant.
Thissign,intendedforthosethatmightfollow,wasobservedbyoneofherconductors,whorestoredtheglove,broketheremainingbranchesofthebushinsuchamannerthatitappearedtoproceedfromthestrugglingofsomebeastinitsbranches,andthenlaidhishandonhistomahawk,withalooksosignificant,thatitputaneffectualendtothesestolenmemorialsoftheirpassage.
Astherewerehorses,toleavetheprintsoftheirfootsteps,inbothbandsoftheIndians,thisinterruptioncutoffanyprobablehopesofassistancebeingconveyedthroughthemeansoftheirtrail.
HeywardwouldhaveventuredaremonstrancehadtherebeenanythingencouraginginthegloomyreserveofMagua.
Butthesavage,duringallthistime,seldomturnedtolookathisfollowers,andneverspoke.
Withthesunforhisonlyguide,oraidedbysuchblindmarksasareonlyknowntothesagacityofanative,heheldhiswayalongthebarrensofpine,throughoccasionallittlefertilevales,acrossbrooksandrivulets,andoverundulatinghills,withtheaccuracyofinstinct,andnearlywiththedirectnessofabird.Heneverseemedtohesitate.
Whetherthepathwashardlydistinguishable,whetheritdisappeared,orwhetheritlaybeatenandplainbeforehim,madenosensibledifferenceinhisspeedorcertainty.
Itseemedasiffatiguecouldnotaffecthim.
Whenevertheeyesoftheweariedtravelersrosefromthedecayedleavesoverwhichtheytrod,hisdarkformwastobeseenglancingamongthestemsofthetreesinfront,hisheadimmovablyfastenedinaforwardposition,withthelightplumeonhiscrestflutteringinacurrentofair,madesolelybytheswiftnessofhisownmotion.
Butallthisdiligenceandspeedwerenotwithoutanobject.
Aftercrossingalowvale,throughwhichagushingbrookmeandered,hesuddenlyascendedahill,sosteepanddifficultofascent,thatthesisterswerecompelledtoalightinordertofollow.
Whenthesummitwasgained,theyfoundthemselvesonalevelspot,butthinlycoveredwithtrees,underoneofwhichMaguahadthrownhisdarkform,asifwillingandreadytoseekthatrestwhichwassomuchneededbythewholeparty.
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