the pathfinder-第66章

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This　was　one　of　those　instants　into　which　are　compressed
the　sensations　of　years　of　ordinary　existence。　　Life；　death；
eternity；　and　extreme　bodily　pain　were　all　standing　out　in
bold　relief　from　the　plane　of　every…day　occurrences；　and
she　might　have　been　taken　at　that　moment　for　a　beautiful
pallid　representation　of　herself；　equally　without　motion
and　without　vitality。　　But　while　such　was　the　outward
appearance　of　the　form；　never　had　there　been　a　time　in
her　brief　career　when　Mabel　heard　more　acutely；　saw　more
clearly；　or　felt　more　vividly。　　As　yet；　nothing　was　visible
at　the　trap；　but　her　ears；　rendered　exquisitely　sensitive　by
intense　feeling；　distinctly　acquainted　her　that　some　one
was　within　a　few　inches　of　the　opening　in　the　floor。　　Next
followed　the　evidence　of　her　eyes；　which　beheld　the　dark
hair　of　an　Indian　rising　so　slowly　through　the　passage　that
the　movements　of　the　head　might　be　likened　to　that　of　the
minute…hand　of　a　clock；　then　came　the　dark　skin　and　wild
features；　until　the　whole　of　the　swarthy　face　had　risen
above　the　floor。　　The　human　countenance　seldom　appears
to　advantage　when　partially　concealed；　and　Mabel　imagined
many　additional　horrors　as　she　first　saw　the　black；　roving
eyes　and　the　expression　of　wildness　as　the　savage　counte…
nance　was　revealed；　as　it　might　be；　inch　by　inch；　but　when
the　entire　head　was　raised　above　the　floor；　a　second　and　a
better　look　assured　our　heroine　that　she　saw　the　gentle；
anxious；　and　even　handsome　face　of　June。



CHAPTER　XXII。

Spectre　though　I　be；
I　am　not　sent　to　scare　thee　or　deceive；
But　in　reward　of　thy　fidelity。
WORDSWORTH。


It　would　be　difficult　to　say　which　evinced　the　most　sat…
isfaction；　when　Mabel　sprang　to　her　feet　and　appeared　in
the　centre　of　the　room；　our　heroine；　on　finding　that　her
visitor　was　the　wife　of　Arrowhead；　and　not　Arrowhead
himself；　or　June；　at　discovering　that　her　advice　had　been
followed；　and　that　the　blockhouse　contained　the　person
she　had　so　anxiously　and　almost　hopelessly　sought。　　They
embraced　each　other；　and　the　unsophisticated　Tuscarora
woman　laughed　in　her　sweet　accents　as　she　held　her　friend
at　arm's　length；　and　made　certain　of　her　presence。

〃Blockhouse　good；〃　said　the　young　Indian；　〃got　no
scalp。〃

〃It　is　indeed　good；　June；〃　Mabel　answered；　with　a　shud…
der；　veiling　her　eyes　at　the　same　time；　as　if　to　shut　out　a
view　of　the　horrors　she　had　so　lately　witnessed。　　〃Tell　me；
for　God's　sake；　if　you　know　what　has　become　of　my　dear
uncle！　　I　have　looked　in　all　directions　without　being　able
to　see　him。〃

〃No　here　in　blockhouse？〃　June　asked；　with　some　curi…
osity。

〃Indeed　he　is　not：　I　am　quite　alone　in　this　place；　Jen…
nie；　the　woman　who　was　with　me；　having　rushed　out　to
join　her　husband；　and　perishing　for　her　imprudence。〃

〃June　know；　June　see；　very　bad；　Arrowhead　no　feel　for
any　wife；　no　feel　for　his　own。〃

〃Ah；　June；　your　life；　at　least；　is　safe！〃

〃Don't　know；　Arrowhead　kill　me；　if　he　know　all。〃

〃God　bless　and　protect　you；　June！　　He　_will_　bless　and
protect　you　for　this　humanity。　　Tell　me　what　is　to　be
done；　and　if　my　poor　uncle　is　still　living？〃

〃Don't　know。　　Saltwater　has　boat；　maybe　he　go　on
river。〃

〃The　boat　is　still　on　the　shore；　but　neither　my　uncle　nor
the　Quartermaster　is　anywhere　to　be　seen。〃

〃No　kill；　or　June　would　see。　　Hide　away！　　Red　man
hide；　no　shame　for　pale…face。〃

〃It　is　not　the　shame　that　I　fear　for　them；　but　the　op…
portunity。　　Your　attack　was　awfully　sudden；　June！〃

〃Tuscarora！〃　returned　the　other；　smiling　with　exultation
at　the　dexterity　of　her　husband。　　〃Arrowhead　great　war…
rior！〃

〃You　are　too　good　and　gentle　for　this　sort　of　life；　June；
you　cannot　be　happy　in　such　scenes？〃

June's　countenance　grew　clouded；　and　Mabel　fancied
there　was　some　of　the　savage　fire　of　a　chief　in　her　frown
as　she　answered；　

〃Yengeese　too　greedy；　take　away　all　hunting…grounds；
chase　Six　Nation　from　morning　to　night；　wicked　king；
wicked　people。　　Pale…face　very　bad。〃

Mabel　knew　that；　even　in　that　distant　day；　there　was
much　truth　in　this　opinion；　though　she　was　too　well　in…
structed　not　to　understand　that　the　monarch；　in　this；　as
in　a　thousand　other　cases；　was　blamed　for　acts　of　which　he
was　most　probably　ignorant。　　She　felt　the　justice　of　the
rebuke；　therefore；　too　much　to　attempt　an　answer；　and
her　thoughts　naturally　reverted　to　her　own　situation。

〃And　what　am　I　to　do；　June？〃　she　demanded。　　〃It
cannot　be　long　before　your　people　will　assault　this　build…
ing。〃

〃Blockhouse　good　　got　no　scalp。

〃But　they　will　soon　discover　that　it　has　got　no　garrison
too；　if　they　do　not　know　it　already。　　You　yourself　told
me　the　number　of　people　that　were　on　the　island；　and
doubtless　you　learned　it　from　Arrowhead。〃

〃Arrowhead　know；〃　answered　June；　holding　up　six　fin…
gers；　to　indicate　the　number　of　the　men。　　〃All　red　men
know。　　Four　lose　scalp　already；　two　got　'em　yet。〃

〃Do　not　speak　of　it；　June；　the　horrid　thought　curdles
my　blood。　　Your　people　cannot　know　that　I　am　alone　in
the　blockhouse；　but　may　fancy　my　uncle　and　the　Quarter…
master　with　me；　and　may　set　fire　to　the　building；　in　order
to　dislodge　them。　　They　tell　me　that　fire　is　the　great　dan…
ger　to　such　places。〃

〃No　burn　blockhouse；〃　said　June　quietly；

〃You　cannot　know　that；　my　good　June；　and　I　have　no
means　to　keep　them　off。〃

〃No　burn　blockhouse。　　Blockhouse　good；　got　no　scalp。〃

〃But　tell　me　why；　June；　I　fear　they　will　burn　it。〃

〃Blockhouse　wet　　much　rain　　logs　green　　no　burn　easy。
Red　man　know　it　　fine　t'ing　　then　no　burn　it　to　tell
Yengeese　that　Iroquois　been　here。　　Fader　come　back；
miss　blockhouse；　no　found。　　No；　no；　Indian　too　much
cunning；　no　touch　anything。〃

〃I　understand　you；　June；　and　hope　your　prediction　may
be　true；　for；　as　regards　my　dear　father；　should　he　escape　
perhaps　he　is　already　dead　or　captured；　June　？〃

〃No　touch　fader　　don't　know　where　he　gone　　water　got
no　trail　　red　man　can't　follow。　　No　burn　blockhouse　
blockhouse　good；　got　no　scalp。〃

〃Do　you　think　it　possible　for　me　to　remain　here　safely
until　my　father　returns？〃

〃Don't　know；　daughter　tell　best　when　fader　come　back。〃
Mabel　felt　uneasy　at　the　glance　of　June's　dark　eye　as
she　uttered　this；　for　the　unpleasant　surmise　arose　that　her
companion　was　endeavoring　to　discover　a　fact　that　might
be　useful　to　her　own　people；　while　it　would　lead　to　the
destruction　of　her　parent　and　his　party。　　She　was　about　to
make　an　evasive　answer；　when　a　heavy　push　at　the　outer
door　suddenly　drew　all　her　thoughts　to　the　immediate
danger。

〃They　come！〃　she　exclaimed。　　〃Perhaps；　June；　it　is
my　uncle　or　the　Quartermaster。　　I　cannot　keep　out　even
Mr。　Muir　at　a　moment　like　this。〃

〃Why　no　look？　plenty　loophole；　made　purpose。〃

Mabel　took　the　hint；　and；　going　to　one　of　the　downward
loops；　that　had　been　cut　through　the　logs　in　the　part　that
overhung　the　basement；　she　cautiously　raised　the　little
block　that　ordinarily　filled　the　small　hole；　and　caught　a
glance　at　what　was　passing　at　the　door。　　The　start　and
changing　countenance　told　her　companion　that　some　of　her
own　people　were　below。

〃Red　man；〃　said　June；　lifting　a　finger　in　admonition　to
be　prudent。

〃Four；　and　horrible　in　their　paint　and　bloody　trophies。
Arrowhead　is　among　them。〃

June　had　moved　to　a　corner；　where　several　spare　rifles
had　been　deposited；　and　had　already　taken　one　into　her
hand；　when　the　name　of　her　husband　appeared　to　arrest
her　movements。　　It　was　but　for　an　instant；　however；　for　she
immediately　went　to　the　loop；　and　was　about　to　thrust　the
muzzle　of　the　piece　through　it；　when　a　feeling　of　natural
aversion　induced　Mabel　to　seize　her　arm。

〃No；　no；　no；　June！〃　said　the　latter；　〃not　against　your
own　husband；　though　my　life　be　the　penalty。〃

〃No　hurt　Arrowhead；〃　returned　June；　with　a　slight
shudder；　〃no　hurt　red　man　at　all。　　No　fire　at　'em；　only
scare。〃

Mabel　now　comprehended　the　intention　of　June；　and
no　longer　opposed　it。　　The　latter　thrust　the　muzzle　of　the
rifle　through　the　loophole；　and；　taking　care　to　make　noise
enough　to　attract　attraction；　she　pulled　the　trigger。　　The
piece　had　no　sooner　been　discharged　than　Mabel　reproached
her　friend　for　the　very　act　that　was　intended　to　serve　her。

〃You　declared　it　was　not　your　intention　to　fire；〃　she
said；　〃and　you　may　have　destroyed　your　own　husband。〃

〃All　run　away　before　I　fire；〃　returned　June；　laughing；
and　going　to　another　loop　to　watch　the　movements　of　her
friends；　laughing　still　heartier。　　〃See！　get　cover　　every
warrior。　　Think　Saltwater　and　Quartermaster　here。　　Take
good　care　now。〃

〃Heaven　be　praised！　　And　now；　June；　I　may　hope　for　a
little　time　to　compose　my　thoughts　to　prayer；　that　I　may
not　die　like　Jennie；　thinking　only　of　life　and　the　things
of　the　world。〃

June　laid　aside　the　rifle；　and　came　and　seated　herself
near　the　box　on　which　Mabel　had　sunk；　under　that　physi…
cal　reaction　which　accompanies　joy　as　well　as　sorrow。　　She
looked　steadily　in　our　heroine's　face；　and　the　latter　thought
that　her　countenance　had　an　expression　of　severity　mingled
with　its　concern。

〃Arrowhead　great　warrior；〃　said　the　Tuscarora's　wife。
〃All　the　girls　of　tribe　look　at　him　much。　　The　pale…face
beauty　has　eyes　too？〃

〃June！　　what　do　these　words　　that　look　　imply？　what
would　you　say？〃

〃Why　you　so　'fraid　June　shoot　Arrowhead？〃

〃Would　it　not　have　been　horrible　to　see　a　wife　destroy
her　own　husband？　　No；　June；　rather　would　I　have　died
myself。〃

〃Very　sure；　dat　all？〃

〃That　was　all；　June；　as　God　is　my　judge！　　and　surely
that　was　enough。　　No；　no！　there　have　been　sufficient　hor…
rors　to…day；　without　increasing　them　by　an　act　like　this。
What　other　motive　can　you　suspect？〃

〃Don't　know。　　Poor　Tuscarora　girl　very　foolish。　　Arrow…
head　great　chief；　and　look　all　round　him。　　Talk　of　pale…
face　beauty　in　his　sleep。　　Great　chief　like　many　wives。〃

〃Can　a　chief　possess　more　than　one　wife；　June；　among
your　people？〃

〃Have　as　many　as　he　can　keep。　　Great　hunter　marry
often。　　Arrowhead　got　only　June　now；　but　he　look　too
much；　see　too　much；　talk　too　much　of　pale…face　girl。〃

Mabel　was　conscious　of　this　fact；　which　had　distressed
her　not　a　little；　in　the　course　of　their　journey；　but　it
shocked　her　to　hear　this　allusion；　coming；　as　it　did；　from
the　mouth　of　the　wife　herself。　　She　knew　that　habit　and
opinions　made　great　differences　in　such　matters；　but；　in
addition　to　the　pain　and　mortification　she　experienced　at
being　the　unwilling　rival　of　a　wife；　she　felt　an　apprehension
that　jealousy　would　be　but　an　equivocal　guarantee　for
her　personal　safety　in　her　present　situation。　　A　closer　look
at　June；　however；　reassured　her；　for；　while　it　was　easy　to
trace　in　the　unpractised　features　of　this　unsophisticated
being　the　pain　of　blighted　affections；　no　distrust　could
have　tortured　the　earnest　expression　of　her　honest　counte…
nance　into　that　of　treachery　or　hate。

〃You　will　not　betray　me；　June？〃　Mabel　said；　pressing
the　other's　hand；　and　yielding　to　an　impulse　of　generous
confidence。　　〃You　will　not　give　up　one　of　your　own　sex
to　the　tomahawk？〃

〃No　tomahawk　touch　you。　　Arrowhead　no　let　'em。　　If
June　must　have　sister…wife；　love　to　have　you。〃

〃No；　June；　my　religion；　my　feelings；　both　forbid　it；
and；　if　I　could　be　the