Ponteac uttered one of his sharp ejaculating
"ughs!" and then rising quickly from his seat, followed
by his companion, soon disappeared in the heart of the
encampment.
CHAPTER VIII.
How shall we attempt to paint all that passed through
the mind of Captain de Haldimar during this important
conference of the fierce chiefs?--where find language to
convey the cold and thrilling horror with which he listened
to the calm discussion of a plan, the object of which
was the massacre, not only of a host of beings endeared
to him by long communionship of service, but of those
who were wedded to his heart by the dearer ties of
affection and kindred? As Ponteac had justly observed,
the English garrisons, strong in their own defences, were
little likely to be speedily reduced, while their enemies
confined themselves to overt acts of hostility; but,
against their insidious professions of amity who could
oppose a sufficient caution? His father, the young officer
was aware, had all along manifested a spirit of conciliation
towards the Indians, which, if followed up by the government
generally, must have had the effect of preventing the
cruel and sanguinary war that had so recently desolated
this remote part of the British possessions.
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