No sooner, however, had the head of the advancing column
come within sight, than the trigger was pulled, and the
small and ragged bullet sped hissing from the grooved
and delicate barrel. A triumphant cry was next pealed
from the lips of the warrior,--a cry produced by the
quickly repeated application and removal of one hand to
and from the mouth, while the other suffered the butt
end of the now harmless weapon to fall loosely upon the
earth. He then slowly and deliberately withdrew within
the cover of the hut.
This daring action, which had been viewed by the leading
troops with astonishment not unmingled with alarm,
occasioned a temporary confusion in the ranks, for all
believed they had fallen into an ambuscade of the Indians.
A halt was instantly commanded by Captain Blessington,
in order to give time to the governor to come up from
the rear, while he proceeded with one of the leading
sections to reconnoitre the front of the hut. To his
infinite surprise, however, he found neither enemy, nor
evidence that an enemy had been there. The only individuals
visible were the Canadian already alluded to, and the
dark-eyed female.
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