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rests secure under his knowledge of the signs of the forest, and the long and
difficult paths that separate him from those he has most reason to dread. But
the enemy who, by any lucky concurrence of accidents, has found means to elude
the vigilance of the scouts, will seldom meet with sentinels nearer home to
sound the alarm. In addition to this general usage, the tribes friendly to the
French king knew too well the weight of the blow that had just been struck, to
apprehend any immediate danger from the hostile nations that were tributary to
the crown of Britain.
When Duncan and David, therefore, found themselves in the centre of the busy
children, who played the antics already mentioned, it was without the least
previous intimation of their approach. But so soon as they were observed, the
whole of the juvenile pack raised, by common consent, a single shrill and
warning whoop; and then sunk, as it were, by magic, from before the sight of
their visiters. The naked, tawny bodies of the crouching urchins, blended so
nicely, at that hour, with the withered herbage, that at first it seemed as if
the earth had, in truth, swallowed up their forms; though when surprise had
permitted Duncan to bend his own wondering looks more curiously about the
spot, he found them every where met by dark, quick, and rolling eye-balls.
Gathering no encouragement from this startling presage, of the nature of the
scrutiny he was likely to undergo from the more mature judgments of the men,
there was an instant when the young soldier would gladly have retreated. It
was, however, too late to appear even to hesitate. The cry of the children had
drawn a dozen warriors to the door of the nearest lodge, where they stood,
clustered in a dark and savage groupe, gravely awaiting the nearer approach of
those who had thus unexpectedly come among them.
David, in some measure familiarized to the scene, led the way, with a
steadiness that no slight obstacle was likely to disconcert, into this very
building. It was the principal edifice of the village, though roughly
constructed of the bark and branches of trees; being the lodge in which the
tribe held its councils and public meetings, during their temporary residence
on the borders of the English province. Duncan found it difficult to assume
the necessary appearance of unconcern, as he brushed the dark and powerful
frames of the savages who thronged its threshold; but, conscious that his
existence depended on his presence of mind, he trusted to the discretion of
his companion, whose footsteps he closely followed, endeavouring, as he
proceeded, to rally his thoughts for the occasion. His blood had stagnated for
a moment, when he found himself in absolute contact with such fierce and
implacable enemies; but he so far mastered his feelings, as to pursue his way
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into the centre of the lodge, with an exterior that did not betray the
weakness. Imitating the example of the deliberate Gamut, he drew a bundle of
fragrant brush from beneath a pile, that filled a corner of the hut, and
seated himself, in silence.
So soon as their visiter had passed, the observant warriors fell back from
the entrance, and arranging themselves about him, they seemed patiently to
await the moment when it might comport with the dignity of the stranger to
speak. By far the greater number stood leaning, in lazy, lounging attitudes,
against the upright posts that supported the crazy building, while three or
four of the oldest and most distinguished of the chiefs placed themselves, in
their ordinary manner, on the earth, a little more in advance.
A flaring torch was burning in the place, and sent its red glare from face to
face, and figure to figure, as it wavered, incostantly, in the currents of
air. Duncan profited by its light, to read, with jealous looks, the probable
character of his reception, in the countenances of his hosts. But his
ingenuity availed him little, against the cold artifices of the people he had
encountered. The chiefs in front scarce cast a glance at his person, keeping
their eyes fastened on the ground, with an air that might have been intended
for respect, but which it was quite easy to construe into distrust. The men,
in shadow, were less reserved. Duncan soon detected their searching, but
stolen looks, which, in truth, scanned his person and attire inch by inch;
leaving no emotion of the countenance, no gesture, no line of the paint, nor
even the fashion of a garment, unheeded, and without its secret comment.
At length, one whose hair was beginning to be sprinkled with gray, but whose
sinewy limbs and firm tread announced that he was still equal to the arduous
duties of manhood, advanced from out the gloom of a corner, whither he had
probably posted himself to make his observations unseen, and spoke. He used
the language of the Wyandots, or Hurons: his words were, consequently,
unintelligible to Heyward, though they seemed, by the gestures that
accompanied them, to be uttered more in courtesy than anger. The latter shook
his head, and made a gesture indicative of his inability to reply.
Do none of my brothers speak the French or the English? he said, in the
former language, looking about him, from countenance to countenance, in hopes
of finding a nod of assent.
Though more than one head turned, as if to catch the meaning of his words,
they remained unanswered.
I should be grieved to think, continued Duncan, speaking slowly, and using
the simplest French of which he was the master, to believe that none of this
wise and brave nation understand the language that the Grand Monarque uses,
when he talks to his children. His heart would be heavy, did he believe his
red warriors paid him so little respect!
A long and grave pause succeeded, during which no movement of a limb, nor any
expression of an eye, betrayed the impression produced by his remark. Duncan,
who knew that silence was a virtue amongst his hosts, gladly had recourse to
the custom, in order to arrange his ideas. At length, the same warrior, who
had before addressed him, replied, by dryly demanding, in the slight patois of
the Canadas--
When our Great Father speaks to his people, is it with the tongue of a
Huron?
He knows no difference in his children, whether the colour of the skin be
red, or black, or white, returned Duncan, evasively; though chiefly is he
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satisfied with the brave Hurons.
In what manner will he speak, demanded the wary chief, when the runners
count, to him, the scalps which five nights ago grew on the heads of the
Yengeese?
They were his enemies, said Duncan, shuddering involuntarily; and,
doubtless, he will say it is good--my Hurons are very valiant.
Our Canada father does not think it. Instead of looking forward to reward
his Indians, his eyes are turned backward. He sees the dead Yengeese, but no
Huron. What can this mean?
A great chief, like him, has more thoughts than tongues. He looks to see
that no enemies are on his trail.
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