The men are evidently getting up the
anchor; and see how her sails are loosened, apparently
courting the breeze, as if she would fly to avoid some
threatened danger. Would to Heaven this council scene
were over; for I do, as much as yourself, dearest Clara,
distrust these cruel Indians!"
A significant gesture from her trembling cousin again
drew her attention from the vessel to the boat. The
animal, which now exhibited the delicate and glossy fur
of the beaver, had gained the stern, and remained stationary
within a foot of her quarter. Presently the sailor made
a sluggish movement, turning himself heavily on his side,
and with his face towards his curious and daring visitant.
In the act the tarpaulin hat had fallen from his eyes,
but still he awoke not. Scarcely had he settled himself
in his new position, when, to the infinite horror of the
excited cousins, a naked human hand was raised from
beneath the surface of the lake, and placed upon the
gunwale of the boat Then rose slowly, and still covered
with its ingenious disguise, first the neck, then the
shoulders, and finally the form, even to the midwaist,
of a dark and swarthy Indian, who, stooping low and
cautiously over the sailor, now reposed the hand that
had quitted the gunwale upon his form, while the other
was thrust searchingly into the belt encircling his waist.
Pages:
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479