In the midst of the confused and distracting
images that now crowded on his brain, came at length one
thought, redolent with the brightest colourings of hope.
On his return to the garrison, the treachery of the
Indians being made known, the governor might so far, and
with a view of gaining time, give in to the plan of his
enemies, as to obtain such delay as would afford the
chance of communication between the forts. The attempt,
on the part of those who should be selected for this
purpose, would, it is true, be a desperate one: still
it must be made; and, with such incentives to exertion
as he had, how willingly would he propose his own services!
The more he dwelt on this mode of defeating the subtle
designs of the enemy, the more practicable did it appear.
Of his own safe return to the fort he entertained not a
doubt; for he knew and relied on the Indian woman, who
was bound to him by a tie of gratitude, which her conduct
that night evidently denoted to be superior even to the
interests of her race. Moreover, as he had approached
the encampment unnoticed while the chiefs were yet awake
to every thing around them, how little probability was
there of his return being detected while all lay wrapped
in the most profound repose.
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