第31章

"'Tis their music, boy; their drum and fife; their trumpets and clarions.No doubt they love those sounds;for they stir up in them fierce feelings, and a desire for blood," returned the Pathfinder, totally unmoved."Ithought them rather frightful when a mere youngster;but they have become like the whistle of the whip-poor-will or the song of the cat-bird in my ear now.All the screeching reptyles that could stand between the falls and the garrison would have no effect on my narves at this time of day.I say it not in boasting, Jasper; for the man that lets in cowardice through the ears must have but a weak heart at the best; sounds and outcries being more intended to alarm women and children than such as scout the forest and face the foe.I hope the Sarpent is now satisfied, for here he comes with the scalp at his belt."Jasper turned away his head as the Delaware rose from the water, in pure disgust at his late errand; but the Pathfinder regarded his friend with the philosophical in-difference of one who had made up his mind to be indif-ferent to things he deemed immaterial.As the Delaware passed deeper into the bushes with a view to wring his trifling calico dress and to prepare his rifle for service, he gave one glance of triumph at his companions, and then all emotion connected with the recent exploit seemed to cease.

"Jasper," resumed the guide, "step down to the station of Master Cap, and ask him to join us: we have little time for a council, and yet our plans must be laid quickly, for it will not be long before them Mingos will be plotting our ruin."The young man complied; and in a few minutes the four were assembled near the shore, completely concealed from the view of their enemies, while they kept a vigilant watch over the proceedings of the latter, in order to con-sult on their own future movements.

By this time the day had so far advanced as to leave but a few minutes between the passing light and an obscurity that promised to be even deeper than common.The sun had already set and the twilight of a low latitude would soon pass into the darkness of deep night.Most of the hopes of the party rested on this favorable circumstance, though it was not without its dangers also, as the very ob-scurity which would favor their escape would be as likely to conceal the movements of their wily enemies.

"The moment has come, men," Pathfinder commenced, "when our plans must be coolly laid, in order that we may act together, and with a right understanding of our errand and gifts.In an hour's time these woods will be as dark as midnight; and if we are ever to gain the garrison, it must be done under favor of this advantage.What say you, Master Cap? for, though none of the most experi-enced in combats and retreats in the woods, your years entitle you to speak first in a matter like this and in a council.""Well, in my judgment, all we have to do is to go on board the canoe when it gets to be so dark the enemy's look-outs can't see us, and run for the haven, as wind and tide will allow.""That is easily said, but not so easily done," returned the guide."We shall be more exposed in the river than by following the woods; and then there is the Oswego rift below us, and I am far from sartain that Jasper himself can carry a boat safely through it in the dark.What say you, lad, as to your own skill and judgment?""I am of Master Cap's opinion about using the canoe.

Mabel is too tender to walk through swamps and among roots of trees in such a night as this promises to be, and then I always feel myself stouter of heart and truer of eye when afloat than when ashore.""Stout of heart you always be, lad, and I think tolerably true of eye for one who has lived so much in broad sun-shine and so little in the woods.Ah's me! the Ontario has no trees, or it would be a plain to delight a hunter's heart! As to your opinion, friends, there is much for and much against it.For it, it may be said water leaves no trail -- ""What do you call the wake?" interrupted the pertina-cious and dogmatical Cap.

"Anan?"

"Go on," said Jasper; "Master Cap thinks he is on the ocean -- water leaves no trail -- ""It leaves none, Eau-douce, hereaway, though I do not pretend to say what it may leave on the sea.Then a canoe is both swift and easy when it floats with the cur-rent, and the tender limbs of the Sergeant's daughter will be favored by its motion.But, on the other hand, the river will have no cover but the clouds in the heavens;the rift is a ticklish thing for boats to venture into, even by daylight; and it is six fairly measured miles, by water, from this spot to the garrison.Then a trail on land is not easy to be found in the dark.I am troubled, Jasper, to say which way we ought to counsel and advise.""If the Serpent and myself could swim into the river and bring off the other canoe," the young sailor replied, "it would seem to me that our safest course would be the water.""If, indeed! and yet it might easily be done, as soon as it is a little darker.Well, well, I am not sartain it will not be the best.Though, were we only a party of men, it would be like a hunt to the lusty and brave to play at hide-and-seek with yonder miscreants on the other shore.

Jasper," continued the guide, into whose character there entered no ingredient which belonged to vain display or theatrical effect, "will you undertake to bring in the canoe?""I will undertake anything that will serve and protect Mabel, Pathfinder.""That is an upright feeling, and I suppose it is natur'.