Erskine approving, as well as myself, of
the plan, we halted at the bridge, and disposed of our
men under each extremity; so that, if attacked by the
Indians in front, we might be enabled to throw them into
confusion by taking them in rear, as they flung themselves
upon the bridge. The event seemed to answer our
expectations. The alarm raised in the encampment satisfied
us the young Indian had contrived to fulfil his promise;
and we momentarily looked for the appearance of those
whose flight we naturally supposed would be directed
towards the bridge. To our great surprise, however, we
remarked that the sounds of pursuit, instead of approaching
us, seemed to take an opposite direction, apparently
towards the point whence we had seen the prisoners
disembarked in the morning. At length, when almost tempted
to regret we had not pushed boldly on, in conformity with
our first intention, we heard the shrill cries of a woman;
and, not long afterwards, the sounds of human feet rushing
down the slope. What our sensations were, you may imagine;
for we all believed it to be either Clara or Madeline de
Haldimar fleeing alone, and pursued by our ferocious
enemies.
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