He was aware that, without pausing to
reflect on the fact, that the sailor, ignorant of his
actual purpose, could merely have seen in him an enemy
in the act of attempting his life, the chief would only
consider and inflame himself over the recollection of
the blow inflicted; and that, with the true obstinacy of
his race, he would rather suffer captivity or death
itself, than humble the haughty pride of his nature, by
condescending to an explanation with those by whom he
felt himself so deeply injured. Still, even amid all his
own personal griefs,--griefs that rendered the boon in
some degree at present valueless,--Captain de Haldimar
could not forget that the youth, no matter by what motive
induced, had rescued him from a dreadful death on a
previous occasion. With the generous warmth, therefore,
of a grateful mind, he now sought to impress on the Indian
the deep sense of obligation under which he laboured;
explaining at the same time the very natural error into
which the sailor had fallen, and concluding with a
declaration that he was free to quit the vessel in the
canoe in which he himself was about to take his departure
for the shore, in search of her whom his sister had
pledged herself, at all hazards, to save.
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