the pathfinder-第2章

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animals　will　compare　with　a　low　latitude　shark。〃

〃See！〃　exclaimed　the　niece；　who　was　more　occupied
with　the　sublimity　and　beauty　of　the　〃boundless　wood〃
than　with　her　uncle's　arguments；　〃yonder　is　a　smoke
curling　over　the　tops　of　the　trees　　can　it　come　from　a
house？〃

〃Ay；　ay；　there　is　a　look　of　humanity　in　that　smoke；〃
returned　the　old　seaman；　〃which　is　worth　a　thousand　trees。
I　must　show　it　to　Arrowhead；　who　may　be　running　past
a　port　without　knowing　it。　　It　is　probable　there　is　a
caboose　where　there　is　a　smoke。〃

As　he　concluded；　the　uncle　drew　a　hand　from　his　bosom；
touched　the　male　Indian；　who　was　standing　near　him；
lightly　on　the　shoulder；　and　pointed　out　at　thin　line　of
vapor　which　was　stealing　slowly　out　of　the　wilderness　of
leaves；　at　a　distance　of　about　a　mile；　and　was　diffusing
itself　in　almost　imperceptible　threads　of　humidity　in　the
quivering　atmosphere。　　The　Tuscarora　was　one　of　those
noble…looking　warriors　oftener　met　with　among　the　abo…
rigines　of　this　continent　a　century　since　than　to…day；　and；
while　he　had　mingled　sufficiently　with　the　colonists　to　be
familiar　with　their　habits　and　even　with　their　language；
he　had　lost　little；　if　any；　of　the　wild　grandeur　and　simple
dignity　of　a　chief。　　Between　him　and　the　old　seaman　the
intercourse　had　been　friendly；　but　distant；　for　the　Indian
had　been　too　much　accustomed　to　mingle　with　the　officers
of　the　different　military　posts　he　had　frequented　not　to
understand　that　his　present　companion　was　only　a　subor…
dinate。　　So　imposing；　indeed；　had　been　the　quiet　superior…
ity　of　the　Tuscarora's　reserve；　that　Charles　Cap；　for　so　was
the　seaman　named；　in　his　most　dogmatical　or　facetious
moments；　had　not　ventured　on　familiarity　in　an　inter…
course　which　had　now　lasted　more　than　a　week。　　The　sight
of　the　curling　smoke；　however；　had　struck　the　latter　like
the　sudden　appearance　of　a　sail　at　sea；　and；　for　the　first
time　since　they　met；　he　ventured　to　touch　the　warrior；　as
has　been　related。

The　quick　eye　of　the　Tuscarora　instantly　caught　a　sight
of　the　smoke；　and　for　full　a　minute　he　stood；　slightly
raised　on　tiptoe；　with　distended　nostrils；　like　the　buck　that
scents　a　taint　in　the　air；　and　a　gaze　as　riveted　as　that　of
the　trained　pointer　while　he　waits　his　master's　aim。　　Then；
falling　back　on　his　feet；　a　low　exclamation；　in　the　soft
tones　that　form　so　singular　a　contrast　to　its　harsher　cries
in　the　Indian　warrior's　voice；　was　barely　audible；　other…
wise；　he　was　undisturbed。　　His　countenance　was　calm；　and
his　quick；　dark；　eagle　eye　moved　over　the　leafy　panorama；
as　if　to　take　in　at　a　glance　every　circumstance　that　might
enlighten　his　mind。　　That　the　long　journey　they　had　at…
tempted　to　make　through　a　broad　belt　of　wilderness　was
necessarily　attended　with　danger；　both　uncle　and　niece
well　knew；　though　neither　could　at　once　determine
whether　the　sign　that　others　were　in　their　vicinity　was　the
harbinger　of　good　or　evil。

〃There　must　be　Oneidas　or　Tuscaroras　near　us；　Arrow…
head；〃　said　Cap；　addressing　his　Indian　companion　by　his
conventional　English　name；　〃will　it　not　be　well　to　join
company　with　them；　and　get　a　comfortable　berth　for　the
night　in　their　wigwam？〃

〃No　wigwam　there；〃　Arrowhead　answered　in　his　un…
moved　manner　　〃too　much　tree。〃

〃But　Indians　must　be　there；　perhaps　some　old　mess…
mates　of　your　own；　Master　Arrowhead。〃

〃No　Tuscarora　　no　Oneida　　no　Mohawk　　pale…face
fire。〃

〃The　devil　it　is？　　Well；　Magnet；　this　surpasses　a　seaman's
philosophy：　we　old　sea…dogs　can　tell　a　lubber's　nest　from
a　mate's　hammock；　but　I　do　not　think　the　oldest　admiral
in　his　Majesty's　fleet　can　tell　a　king's　smoke　from　a
collier's。〃

The　idea　that　human　beings　were　in　their　vicinity；　in
that　ocean　of　wilderness；　had　deepened　the　flush　on　the
blooming　cheek　and　brightened　the　eye　of　the　fair　crea…
ture　at　his　side；　but　she　soon　turned　with　a　look　of　sur…
prise　to　her　relative；　and　said　hesitatingly；　for　both　had
often　admired　the　Tuscarora's　knowledge；　or；　we　might
almost　say；　instinct；　

〃A　pale…face's　fire！　　Surely；　uncle；　he　cannot　know　_that_？〃

〃Ten　days　since；　child；　I　would　have　sworn　to　it；　but
now　I　hardly　know　what　to　believe。　　May　I　take　the　lib…
erty　of　asking；　Arrowhead；　why　you　fancy　that　smoke；
now；　a　pale…face's　smoke；　and　not　a　red…skin's？〃

〃Wet　wood；〃　returned　the　warrior；　with　the　calmness
with　which　the　pedagogue　might　point　out　an　arithmetical
demonstration　to　his　puzzled　pupil。　　〃Much　wet　　much
smoke；　much　water　　black　smoke。〃

〃But；　begging　your　pardon；　Master　Arrowhead；　the
smoke　is　not　black；　nor　is　there　much　of　it。　　To　my　eye；
now；　it　is　as　light　and　fanciful　a　smoke　as　ever　rose　from
a　captain's　tea…kettle；　when　nothing　was　left　to　make　the
fire　but　a　few　chips　from　the　dunnage。〃

〃Too　much　water；〃　returned　Arrowhead；　with　a　slight
nod　of　the　head；　〃Tuscarora　too　cunning　to　make　fire
with　water！　pale…face　too　much　book；　and　burn　anything；
much　book；　little　know。〃

〃Well；　that's　reasonable；　I　allow；〃　said　Cap；　who　was　no
devotee　of　learning：　〃he　means　that　as　a　hit　at　your　read…
ing；　Magnet；　for　the　chief　has　sensible　notions　of　things
in　his　own　way。　　How　far；　now；　Arrowhead；　do　you　make
us；　by　your　calculation；　from　the　bit　of　a　pond　that　you
call　the　Great　Lake；　and　towards　which　we　have　been　so
many　days　shaping　our　course？〃

The　Tuscarora　looked　at　the　seaman　with　quiet　superi…
ority　as　he　answered；　〃Ontario；　like　heaven；　one　sun；　and
the　great　traveller　will　know　it。〃

〃Well；　I　have　been　a　great　traveller；　I　cannot　deny；
but　of　all　my　v'y'ges　this　has　been　the　longest；　the　least
profitable；　and　the　farthest　inland。　　If　this　body　of　fresh
water　is　so　nigh；　Arrowhead；　and　so　large；　one　might　think
a　pair　of　good　eyes　would　find　it　out；　for　apparently　every…
thing　within　thirty　miles　is　to　be　seen　from　this　look…
out。〃

〃Look；〃　said　Arrowhead；　stretching　an　arm　before　him
with　quiet　grace；　〃Ontario！〃

〃Uncle；　you　are　accustomed　to　cry　'Land　ho！'　but　not
'Water　ho！'　and　you　do　not　see　it；〃　cried　the　niece；　laugh…
ing；　as　girls　will　laugh　at　their　own　idle　conceits。

〃How　now；　Magnet！　dost　suppose　that　I　shouldn't　know
my　native　element　if　it　were　in　sight？〃

〃But　Ontario　is　not　your　native　element；　dear　uncle；
for　you　come　from　the　salt　water；　while　this　is　fresh。〃

〃That　might　make　some　difference　to　your　young　mar…
iner；　but　none　to　the　old　one。　　I　should　know　water；　child；
were　I　to　see　it　in　China。〃

〃Ontario；〃　repeated　Arrowhead；　with　emphasis；　again
stretching　his　hand　towards　the　north…west。

Cap　looked　at　the　Tuscarora；　for　the　first　time　since
their　acquaintance；　with　something　like　an　air　of　contempt；
though　he　did　not　fail　to　follow　the　direction　of　the　chief's
eye　and　arm；　both　of　which　were　directed　towards　a　vacant
point　in　the　heavens；　a　short　distance　above　the　plain　of
leaves。

〃Ay；　ay；　this　is　much　as　I　expected；　when　I　left　the
coast　in　search　of　a　fresh…water　pond；〃　resumed　Cap；
shrugging　his　shoulders　like　one　whose　mind　was　made　up；
and　who　thought　no　more　need　be　said。　　〃Ontario　may　be
there；　or；　for　that　matter；　it　may　be　in　my　pocket。　　Well；
I　suppose　there　will　be　room　enough；　when　we　reach　it；
to　work　our　canoe。　　But　Arrowhead；　if　there　be　pale…faces
in　our　neighborhood；　I　confess　I　should　like　to　get　within
hail　of　them。〃

The　Tuscarora　now　gave　a　quiet　inclination　of　his　head；
and　the　whole　party　descended　from　the　roots　of　the　up…
torn　tree　in　silence。　　When　they　reached　the　ground；
Arrowhead　intimated　his　intention　to　go　towards　the　fire；
and　ascertain　who　had　lighted　it；　while　he　advised　his
wife　and　the　two　others　to　return　to　a　canoe；　which　they
had　left　in　the　adjacent　stream；　and　await　his　return。

〃Why；　chief；　this　might　do　on　soundings；　and　in　an
offing　where　one　knew　the　channel；〃　returned　old　Cap；
〃but　in　an　unknown　region　like　this　I　think　it　unsafe　to
trust　the　pilot　alone　too　far　from　the　ship：　so；　with　your
leave；　we　will　not　part　company。〃

〃What　my　brother　want？〃　asked　the　Indian　gravely；
though　without　taking　offence　at　a　distrust　that　was　suffi…
ciently　plain。

〃Your　company；　Master　Arrowhead；　and　no　more。　　I　will
go　with　you　and　speak　these　strangers。〃

The　Tuscarora　assented　without　difficulty；　and　again
he　directed　his　patient　and　submissive　little　wife；　who
seldom　turned　her　full　rich　black　eye　on　him　but　to　ex…
press　equally　her　respect；　her　dread；　and　her　love；　to　pro…
ceed　to　the　boat。　　But　here　Magnet　raised　a　difficulty。
Although　spirited；　and　of　unusual　energy　under　circum…
stances　of　trial；　she　was　but　woman；　and　the　idea　of　being
entirely　deserted　by　her　two　male　protectors；　in　the　midst
of　a　wilderness　that　her　senses　had　just　told　her　was　seem…
ingly　illimitable；　became　so　keenly　painful；　that　she　ex…
pressed　a　wish　to　accompany　her　uncle。

〃The　exercise　will　be　a　relief；　dear　sir；　after　sitting　so
long　in　the　canoe；〃　she　added；　as　the　rich　blood　slowly　re…
turned　to　a　cheek　that　had　paled　in　spite　of　her　efforts　to
be　calm；　〃and　there　may　be　females　with　the　strangers。〃

〃Come；　then；　child；　it　is　but　a　cable's　length；　and　we
shall　return　an　hour　before　the　sun　sets。〃

With　this　permission；　the　girl；　whose　real　name　was
Mabel　Dunham；　prepared　to　be　of　the　party；　while　the
Dew…of…June；　as　the　wife　of　Arrowhead　was　called；　pas…
sively　went　her　way　towards　thie　canoe；　too　much　accus…
tomed　to　obedience；　solitude；　and　the　gloom　of　the　forest
to　feel　apprehension。

The　three　who　remained　in　the　wind…row　now　picked
their　way　around　its　tangled　maze；　and　gained　the　margin
of　the　woods。　　A　few　glances　of　the　eye　sufficed　for　Arrow…
head；　but　old　Cap　deliberately　set　the　smoke　by　a　pocket…
compass；　before　he　trusted　himself　within　the　shadows　of
the　trees。

〃This　steering　by　the　nose；　Magnet；　may　do　well　enough
for　an　Indian；　but　your　thoroughbred　knows　the　virtue　of
the　needle；〃　said　the　uncle；　as　he　trudged　at　the　heels　of
the　light…stepping　Tuscarora。　　〃America　would　never　have
been　discovered；　take　my　word　for　it；　if　Columbus　had
been　nothing　but　nostrils。　　Friend　Arrowhead；　didst　ever
see　a　machine　like　this？〃

The　Indian　turned；　cast　at　glance　at　the　compass；　which
Cap　held　in　a　way　to　direct　his　course；　and　gravely　an…
swered；　〃A　pale…face　eye。　　The　Tuscarora　see　in　his　head。
The　Salt…water　（for　so　the　Indian　styled　his　companion）
all　eye　now；　no　tongue。〃

〃He　means；　uncle；　that　we　had　needs　be　silent；　perhaps
he　distrusts　the　persons　we　are　about　to　meet。〃

〃Ay；　'tis　an　Indian's　fashion　of　going　to　quarters。　　You
perceive　he　has　examined　the　priming　of　his　rifle；　and　it
may　be　as　well　if　I　look　to　that　of　my　own　pistols。〃

Without　betraying　alarm　at　these　preparations；　to　which
she　had　become　accustomed　by　her　long　journey　in　the
wilderness；　Mabel　followed　with　a　step　as　elastic　as　that　of
the　Indian；　keeping　close　in　the　rear　of　her　companions。
For　the　first　half　mile　no　other　caution　beyond　a　rigid
silence　was　observed；　but　as　the　party　drew　nearer　to　the
spot　where　the　fire　was　known　to　be；　much　greater　care
became　necessary。

The　forest；　as　usual；　had　little　to　intercept　the　view
below　the　branches　but　the　tall　straight　trunks　of　trees。
Everything　belonging　to　vegetation　had　stru