The deck itself was covered
with the bodies of slain men--sailors, and savages mixed
together; and amid these were to be seen fierce warriors,
reclining triumphantly and indolently on their rifles,
while others were occupied in securing the arms of their
captives with leathern thongs behind their backs. The
silence that now prevailed was strongly in contrast with,
and even more fearful than, the horrid shouts by which
it had been preceded; and, but for the ghastly countenances
of the captives, and the quick rolling eyes of the savages,
Miss de Haldimar might have imagined herself the sport
of some extraordinary and exciting illusion. Her glance
over these prominent features in the tragedy had been
cursory, yet accurate. It now rested on one that had more
immediate and terrifying interest for herself. At a few
paces in front of the companion ladder, and with their
backs turned towards her, stood two individuals, whose
attitudes denoted the purpose of men resolved to sell
with their lives alone a passage to a tall fierce-looking
savage, whose countenance betrayed every mark of triumphant
and deadly passion, while he apparently hesitated whether
his uplifted arm should stay the weapon it wielded.
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