Chapter XVII.
Thus was I delivered from my prison, and restored to the enjoyment ofthe air and the light. Perhaps the chance was almost miraculous that ledme to this opening. In any other direction, I might have involved myselfin an inextricable maze and rendered my destruction sure; but what nowremained to place me in absolute security? Beyond the fire I could seenothing; but, since the smoke rolled rapidly away, it was plain that onthe opposite side the cavern was open to the air.
I went forward, but my eyes were fixed upon the fire: presently, inconsequence of changing my station, I perceived several feet, and theskirts of blankets. I was somewhat startled at these appearances. Thelegs were naked, and scored into uncouth figures. The _moccasins_which lay beside them, and which were adorned in a grotesque manner, inaddition to other incidents, immediately suggested the suspicion thatthey were Indians. No spectacle was more adapted than this to excitewonder and alarm. Had some mysterious power snatched me from the earth,and cast me, in a moment, into the heart of the wilderness? Was I stillin the vicinity of my parental habitation, or was I thousands of milesdistant?
Were these the permanent inhabitants of this region, or were theywanderers and robbers? While in the heart of the mountain, I hadentertained a vague belief that I was still within the precincts ofNorwalk. This opinion was shaken for a moment by the objects which I nowbeheld, but it insensibly returned: yet how was this opinion to bereconciled to appearances so strange and uncouth, and what measure did adue regard to my safety enjoin me to take?
I now gained a view of four brawny and terrific figures, stretched uponthe ground. They lay parallel to each other, on their left sides; inconsequence of which their faces were turned from me. Between each wasan interval where lay a musket. Their right hands seemed placed upon thestocks of their guns, as if to seize them on the first moment of alarm.
The aperture through which these objects were seen was at the back ofthe cave, and some feet from the ground. It was merely large enough tosuffer a human body to pass. It was involved in profound darkness, andthere was no danger of being suspected or discovered as long as Imaintained silence and kept out of view.
It was easily imagined that these guests would make but a short sojournin this spot. There was reason to suppose that it was now night, andthat, after a short repose, they would start up and resume theirjourney. It was my first design to remain shrouded in this covert tilltheir departure, and I prepared to endure imprisonment and thirstsomewhat longer.
Meanwhile my thoughts were busy in accounting for this spectacle. I neednot tell thee that Norwalk is the termination of a sterile and narrowtract which begins in the Indian country. It forms a sort of rugged androcky vein, and continues upwards of fifty miles. It is crossed in a fewplaces by narrow and intricate paths, by which a communication ismaintained between the farms and settlements on the opposite sides ofthe ridge.
During former Indian wars, this rude surface was sometimes traversed bythe red men, and they made, by means of it, frequent and destructiveinroads into the heart of the English settlements. During the last war,notwithstanding the progress of population, and the multiplied perils ofsuch an expedition, a band of them had once penetrated into Norwalk, andlingered long enough to pillage and murder some of the neighbouringinhabitants.
I have reason to remember that event. My father's house was placed onthe verge of this solitude. Eight of these assassins assailed it at thedead of night. My parents and an infant child were murdered in theirbeds; the house was pillaged, and then burnt to the ground. Happily,myself and my two sisters were abroad upon a visit. The preceding dayhad been fixed for our return to our father's house; but a stormoccurred, which made it dangerous to cross the river, and, by obligingus to defer our journey, rescued us from captivity or death.
Most men are haunted by some species of terror or antipathy, which theyare, for the most part, able to trace to some incident which befell themin their early years. You will not be surprised that the fate of myparents, and the sight of the body of one of this savage band, who, inthe pursuit that was made after them, was overtaken and killed, shouldproduce lasting and terrific images in my fancy. I never looked upon orcalled up the image of a savage without shuddering.
I knew that, at this time, some hostilities had been committed on thefrontier; that a long course of injuries and encroachments had latelyexasperated the Indian tribes; that an implacable and exterminating warwas generally expected. We imagined ourselves at an inaccessibledistance from the danger; but I could not but remember that thispersuasion was formerly as strong as at present, and that an expeditionwhich had once succeeded might possibly be attempted again. Here wasevery token of enmity and bloodshed. Each prostrate figure was furnishedwith a rifled musket, and a leathern bag tied round his waist, whichwas, probably, stored with powder and ball.
From these reflections, the sense of my own danger was revived andenforced; but I likewise ruminated on the evils which might impend overothers. I should, no doubt, be safe by remaining in this nook; but mightnot some means be pursued to warn others of their danger? Should theyleave this spot without notice of their approach being given to thefearless and pacific tenants of the neighbouring district, they mightcommit, in a few hours, the most horrid and irreparable devastation.
The alarm could only be diffused in one way. Could I not escape,unperceived, and without alarming the sleepers, from this cavern? Theslumber of an Indian is broken by the slightest noise; but, if all noisebe precluded, it is commonly profound. It was possible, I conceived, toleave my present post, to descend into the cave, and issue forth withoutthe smallest signal. Their supine posture assured me that they wereasleep. Sleep usually comes at their bidding, and if, perchance, theyshould be wakeful at an unseasonable moment, they always sit upon theirhaunches, and, leaning their elbows on their knees, consume the tedioushours in smoking. My peril would be great. Accidents which I could notforesee, and over which I had no command, might occur to awaken some oneat the moment I was passing the fire. Should I pass in safety, I mightissue forth into a wilderness, of which I had no knowledge, where Imight wander till I perished with famine, or where my footsteps might benoted and pursued and overtaken by these implacable foes. These perilswere enormous and imminent; but I likewise considered that I might be atno great distance from the habitations of men, and that my escape mightrescue them from the most dreadful calamities. I determined to make thisdangerous experiment without delay.
I came nearer to the aperture, and had, consequently, a larger view ofthis recess. To my unspeakable dismay, I now caught a glimpse of oneseated at the fire. His back was turned towards me, so that I coulddistinctly survey his gigantic form and fantastic ornaments.
My project was frustrated. This one was probably commissioned to watchand to awaken his companions when a due portion of sleep had been taken.That he would not be unfaithful or remiss in the performance of the partassigned to him was easily predicted. To pass him without exciting hisnotice (and the entrance could not otherwise be reached) was impossible.Once more I shrunk back, and revolved with hopelessness and anguish thenecessity to which I was reduced.
This interval of dreary foreboding did not last long. Some motion in himthat was seated by the fire attracted my notice. I looked, and beheldhim rise from his place and go forth from the cavern. This unexpectedincident led my thoughts into a new channel. Could not some advantage betaken of his absence? Could not this opportunity be seized for making myescape? He had left his gun and hatchet on the ground. It was likely,therefore, that he had not gone far, and would speedily return. Mightnot these weapons be seized, and some provision be thus made against thedanger of meeting him without, or of being pursued?
Before a resolution could be formed, a new sound saluted my ear. It wasa deep groan, succeeded by sobs that seemed struggling for utterance butwere vehemently counteracted by the sufferer. This low and bitterlamentation apparently proceeded from some one within the cave. It couldnot be from one of this swarthy band. It must, then, proce
ed from acaptive, whom they had reserved for torment or servitude, and who hadseized the opportunity afforded by the absence of him that watched togive vent to his despair.
I again thrust my head forward, and beheld, lying on the ground, apartfrom the rest, and bound hand and foot, a young girl. Her dress was thecoarse russet garb of the country, and bespoke her to be some farmer'sdaughter. Her features denoted the last degree of fear and anguish, andshe moved her limbs in such a manner as showed that the ligatures bywhich she was confined produced, by their tightness, the utmost degreeof pain.
My wishes were now bent not only to preserve myself and to frustrate thefuture attempts of these savages, but likewise to relieve this miserablevictim. This could only be done by escaping from the cavern andreturning with seasonable aid. The sobs of the girl were likely to rousethe sleepers. My appearance before her would prompt her to testify hersurprise by some exclamation or shriek. What could hence be predictedbut that the band would start on their feet and level their unerringpieces at my head?
I know not why I was insensible to these dangers. My thirst was renderedby these delays intolerable. It took from me, in some degree, the powerof deliberation. The murmurs which had drawn me hither continued stillto be heard. Some torrent or cascade could not be far distant from theentrance of the cavern, and it seemed as if one draught of clear waterwas a luxury cheaply purchased by death itself. This, in addition toconsiderations more disinterested, and which I have already mentioned,impelled me forward.
The girl's cheek rested on the hard rock, and her eyes were dim withtears. As they were turned towards me, however, I hoped that mymovements would be noticed by her gradually and without abruptness. Thisexpectation was fulfilled. I had not advanced many steps before shediscovered me. This moment was critical beyond all others in the courseof my existence. My life was suspended, as it were, by a spider'sthread. All rested on the effect which this discovery should make uponthis feeble victim.
I was watchful of the first movement of her eye which should indicate aconsciousness of my presence. I laboured, by gestures and looks, todeter her from betraying her emotion. My attention was, at the sametime, fixed upon the sleepers, and an anxious glance was cast towardsthe quarter whence the watchful savage might appear.
I stooped and seized the musket and hatchet. The space beyond the firewas, as I expected, open to the air. I issued forth with tremblingsteps. The sensations inspired by the dangers which environed me, addedto my recent horrors, and the influence of the moon, which had nowgained the zenith, and whose lustre dazzled my long-benighted senses,cannot be adequately described.
For a minute, I was unable to distinguish objects. This confusion wasspeedily corrected, and I found myself on the verge of a steep. Craggyeminences arose on all sides. On the left hand was a space that offeredsome footing, and hither I turned. A torrent was below me, and this pathappeared to lead to it. It quickly appeared in sight, and all foreigncares were, for a time, suspended.
This water fell from the upper regions of the hill, upon a flatprojecture which was continued on either side, and on part of which Iwas now standing. The path was bounded on the left by an inaccessiblewall, and on the right terminated, at the distance of two or three feetfrom the wall, in a precipice. The water was eight or ten paces distant,and no impediment seemed likely to rise between us. I rushed forwardwith speed.
My progress was quickly checked. Close to the falling water, seated onthe edge, his back supported by the rock, and his legs hanging over theprecipice, I now beheld the savage who left the cave before me. Thenoise of the cascade and the improbability of interruption, at leastfrom this quarter, had made him inattentive to my motions.
I paused. Along this verge lay the only road by which I could reach thewater, and by which I could escape. The passage was completely occupiedby this antagonist. To advance towards him, or to remain where I was,would produce the same effect. I should, in either case, be detected. Hewas unarmed; but his outcries would instantly summon his companions tohis aid. I could not hope to overpower him, and pass him in defiance ofhis opposition. But, if this were effected, pursuit would be instantlycommenced. I was unacquainted with the way. The way was unquestionablydifficult. My strength was nearly annihilated; I should be overtaken ina moment, or their deficiency in speed would be supplied by the accuracyof their aim. Their bullets, at least, would reach me.
There was one method of removing this impediment. The piece which I heldin my hand was cocked. There could be no doubt that it was loaded. Aprecaution of this kind would never be omitted by a warrior of this hue.At a greater distance than this, I should not fear to reach the mark.Should I not discharge it, and, at the same moment, rush forward tosecure the road which my adversary's death would open to me?
Perhaps you will conceive a purpose like this to have argued asanguinary and murderous disposition. Let it be remembered, however,that I entertained no doubts about the hostile designs of these men.This was sufficiently indicated by their arms, their guise, and thecaptive who attended them. Let the fate of my parents be, likewise,remembered. I was not certain but that these very men were the assassinsof my family, and were those who had reduced me and my sisters to thecondition of orphans and dependants. No words can describe the tormentsof my thirst. Relief to these torments, and safety to my life, werewithin view. How could I hesitate?
Yet I did hesitate. My aversion to bloodshed was not to be subdued butby the direst necessity. I knew, indeed, that the discharge of a musketwould only alarm the enemies who remained behind; but I had another anda better weapon in my grasp. I could rive the head of my adversary, andcast him headlong, without any noise which should be heard, into thecavern.
Still I was willing to withdraw, to re-enter the cave, and take shelterin the darksome recesses from which I had emerged. Here I might remain,unsuspected, till these detested guests should depart. The hazardsattending my re-entrance were to be boldly encountered, and the tormentsof unsatisfied thirst were to be patiently endured, rather than imbruemy hands in the blood of my fellowmen. But this expedient would beineffectual if my retreat should be observed by this savage. Of that Iwas bound to be incontestably assured. I retreated, therefore, but keptmy eye fixed at the same time upon the enemy.
Some ill fate decreed that I should not retreat unobserved. Scarcely hadI withdrawn three paces when he started from his seat, and, turningtowards me, walked with a quick pace. The shadow of the rock, and theimprobability of meeting an enemy here, concealed me for a moment fromhis observation. I stood still. The slightest motion would haveattracted his notice. At present, the narrow space engaged all hisvigilance. Cautious footsteps, and attention to the path, wereindispensable to his safety. The respite was momentary, and I employedit in my own defence.
How otherwise could I act? The danger that impended aimed at nothingless than my life. To take the life of another was the only method ofaverting it. The means were in my hand, and they were used. In anextremity like this, my muscles would have acted almost in defiance ofmy will.
The stroke was quick as lightning, and the wound mortal and deep. He hadnot time to descry the author of his fate, but, sinking on the path,expired without a groan. The hatchet buried itself in his breast, androlled with him to the bottom of the precipice.
Never before had I taken the life of a human creature. On this head Ihad, indeed, entertained somewhat of religious scruples. These scruplesdid not forbid me to defend myself, but they made me cautious andreluctant to decide. Though they could not withhold my hand when urgedby a necessity like this, they were sufficient to make me look back uponthe deed with remorse and dismay.
I did not escape all compunction in the present instance, but the tumultof my feelings was quickly allayed. To quench my thirst was aconsideration by which all others were supplanted. I approached thetorrent, and not only drank copiously, but laved my head, neck, andarms, in this delicious element.