Seth struck off to the east, with the idea of making a long detour3 and then steering5 straight for the rendezvous6. He could get through the forest at a surprising rate of speed, and ere many minutes had passed had put such a distance between himself and the enemy that he had little to fear from their pursuit.
But they were not the only source of danger. He knew well that the whole country round about was being constantly traversed by scouting7 parties of Indians in the pay of the French, and if he should be captured by any of them he was far more likely to be made the victim of their fiendish ingenuity8 as torturers, and to be finally tomahawked and scalped, than to be delivered over to the French as a prisoner of war.
Still he did not allow these thoughts, disquieting9 as they were, to depress his spirit. The dangers that threatened were just what were to be expected, and so long as he continued a member of Rogers' band they would have to be faced.
"The Major was right enough, of course, in making us scatter11 like this," he said to himself philosophically12, "but all the same I'll be everlastingly13 glad when we all get together again."
Guided by his compass he pursued his lonely way through the forest until sundown, and then looked about for some snug14 spot in which to pass the night.
It was cold enough to render a fire almost a necessity, but, although he had a well-equipped tinder-box, he did not attempt to make a blaze, lest it should betray him to some skulking15 Indians.
A small portion of ox tongue, cold and tasteless, served him for supper, and he lay down on some moss16 at the roots of a big tree to pass the long hours of the night as best he could.
The cold chilled him to the marrow17, and hunger gnawed18 at his vitals. The forest that was so silent during the day now gave forth19 sinister20 sounds as the birds and beasts of prey21 hunted eagerly for victims. First far off and then nearer, one answering to another, the blood-curdling howl of wolves echoed through the darkness, and Seth, shivering with cold, hugged his trusty gun tightly, and hoped that the fierce brutes22 would not scent23 him.
He wondered where the others were, and what distance separated him from them. If only Reuben were with him, his situation would not be quite so miserable24; but Reuben had taken a southerly direction, and was no doubt miles away at the moment.
The horrid25 howling of the wolves drew nearer, and the unpleasant conviction began to force itself upon him that they had found him out and were of a mind to hold a nocturnal banquet on his body.
"They'll have to pay dearly for their supper," he soliloquized grimly, "for I'll kill as many of them as I can first, but if the pack is a big one, they're bound to get me in the end, unless"—and at the idea his heart leaped and the blood coursed warmly through his veins—"I keep them off with a big fire. I'll do it and risk the Indians being round."
With trembling fingers he went to work and, of course, the first attempts to light the dry moss with a spark from his tinder-box failed, but he tried again and again, and at last succeeded in starting a tiny flame, which he sedulously26 fanned into a blaze.
There was no lack of fuel at hand, and, piling this on, he presently had a glowing fire, that lit up the far-reaching forest aisles27, and revealed the proximity28 of the wolves by being reflected in their gleaming eyeballs.
"Just in time!" he ejaculated fervently29. "They'll keep their distance so long as the fire lasts, but if it goes out, they'll be on me quick."
If he had had only the wolves to consider, he would have seized the opportunity to do execution amongst them that they afforded by sitting upon their haunches and gazing hungrily at him; but the report of his gun might betray him to the enemy if any of them were within hearing of it, and so he was fain to content himself with speculating how many of them he might kill before the pack would have the sense to take to flight.
The fire burned so brightly that, in spite of the purpose for which it was lit, he found it cheering to his spirit, but it required a lot of wood to keep it going, and after a while he had gathered all that was near at hand, and must needs go farther from the protecting flames in order to keep up the supply.
This, of course, brought him nearer to the waiting wolves, and they were quick to snap at him menacingly, so that he had to make sudden dashes out and in again to the circle of safety.
Presently he bethought himself of a better plan.
"I'll be a magician and carry a wand that will be my protection," he said to himself, smiling at the childish notion, which, nevertheless, he put into execution, for, seizing a blazing brand from the heart of the fire, he swung it before him shouting.
"Avaunt, ye fiends! Begone into the darkness!" (quoting from a book of legends he had read in his school-days) and charged dauntlessly at his determined31 besiegers.
The seemingly desperate expedient32 succeeded beyond his expectations. The frightened wolves fled howling before him, and he had time to secure more than one big armful of wood ere they recovered from their panic sufficiently33 to resume the siege.
Seth laughed at the brutes being so easily fooled, and congratulated himself on having solved the problem which at first promised to be so difficult.
What between the heat of the fire and the warmth due to his exertions34, he had lost all thought of the cold, and if only Reuben or any other of the Rangers had been there to keep him company he would not have minded the situation at all, save that he never forgot the possibility of Indians suddenly announcing their presence by a well-aimed bullet or the whiz of a tomahawk.
But the hours went by, and the wolves were still kept at bay, and no wolves in human guise35 appeared, and at last the darkness gave way to dawn.
The new day found Seth sorely tired, and suffering from hunger and loss of sleep, but far from despondent36. He knew pretty well in what direction to steer4 in order to reach the rendezvous, and he at once set off, for the wolves had slunk away with the night, and he had nothing more to fear from them.
He pushed forward as rapidly as the nature of the ground permitted, keeping a keen lookout37 in every direction for either friends or enemies, and hoping as strongly to meet the first as to avoid the second.
The morning had well advanced, however, before anything that resembled a fellow-being crossed his vision, and then he was somewhat startled by catching38 a glimpse of a human form several hundred yards distant.
"Can that be an Indian or a Canadian?" he asked himself, "and I wonder if he's alone."
He could not answer his own question, but he could take to cover, and this he did instantly, muttering,
"That fellow may think I've not seen him, and come right on, and if he does I'll finish him."
With his nerves strung to the highest tension, Seth crouched39 behind the trunk of a big tree and strove to follow the movements of the other man without exposing himself to the risk of a bullet from his gun.
Not the snapping of a dry branch nor the rustling40 of dead leaves betrayed his approach, and Seth at last, unable to stand the strain any longer, with infinite caution peered around the protecting tree.
This action nearly cost him his life, for the instant his head appeared the report of a gun rang out and a bullet, striking with a wicked thud, buried itself in the trunk not more than an inch from his head. It was a close shave with a vengeance41, but it did not daunt30 Seth.
"A miss is as good as a mile," he soliloquized philosophically, and feeling safe now until his antagonist42 should have time to reload, he sought his chance to return the compliment.
It came a minute later as the other raised his head full for a peep, and Seth's finger was pressing the trigger when with an exclamation43 of astonishment44, he lowered his gun, crying,
"Good land! that's not a Canadian, but one of our own men!"
Sure enough, it was a Ranger1 who had thus been stalking Seth, supposing him to be an enemy, and who had come within an ace10 of losing his own life in the endeavor to take Seth's.
Relieved beyond expression, Seth sprang to his feet and shouted,
"Oh ho, Ranger! Whom are you firing at?"
At this the other came out from his cover, and with beaming face hurried over to him. It was Andrew Wilcox, who had lost his way in the forest, and was doing his best to find it again when he sighted Seth, and, mistaking him for one of the enemy, determined to get the first shot whatever might be the consequences.
Highly delighted at the fortunate meeting, the two set forth with renewed energy, and by the middle of the afternoon reached the rendezvous, where they found the rest of the company already assembled, and Major Rogers in a humor to rate them for their being last, but on hearing Seth's explanation he considered it sufficient, and said in a kindly45 tone,
"Not your fault this time, Ensign, and now let us see how we're to get across this lake."
Having neither bateaux nor canoes the only thing to be done was to build a raft, and to this they now gave themselves, toiling46 away like beavers47, and making use so far as possible of the dry driftwood that abounded48 until they had completed an ugly and clumsy but substantial structure.
Then under cover of darkness they set out for the western shore, propelling their slow craft by means of such rude paddles as they could fashion with their hatchets49.
It was a clear, still night, and after the toilsome tramping through the forest the easy gliding50 across the placid51 bosom52 of the lake was very delightful53.
"I quite like this," said Seth, who, being by virtue54 of his rank relieved from the labor55 of paddling, had stretched himself out on a pile of spruce boughs56 in great comfort. "I don't mind if it takes us all night to cross."
"But I do," spoke57 up Reuben, who was one of the paddlers. "It's no easy job keeping the old thing moving, I can tell you. Just come and try it yourself."
"No, thank you," responded Seth smilingly. "I'm enjoying myself too much here—but, hullo! what's that light over there? Do you see it?"
All eyes were at once turned in the direction indicated, where now appeared plainly enough the blaze of camp fires burning brightly, against which the dark forms of a number of men could be descried58.
The sight was by no means a welcome one, and there was no mistaking the tone of concern in Major Rogers' voice as he said:
"Confound them! They're encamped at the old Indian carrying place in great force, and we can't get past them without being seen. I don't know just what is best to be done. Stop paddling until I think it over."
The paddlers were glad enough to take it easy for a while, and while the raft floated motionless on the water the Major wrestled59 with the problem upon the solution of which the safety of the party depended.
The vital question was whether the enemy had reached the place of their encampment by water or overland, for if they had come by water they would be well provided with batteaux and canoes, but if they had come overland they would have nothing of the kind, and those on the raft were quite safe so long as they kept out of range of their muskets60.
But how was this to be known? Calling some of the older men around him the Major consulted with them, but they had no practical suggestion to offer. They were in the main disposed to go ahead and take chances.
To this, however, their sagacious leader would not consent. Brave as he was, and ready enough for fighting when the conditions were at all equal, he had no thought of risking the lives of himself and his men by attempting anything so hazardous61 as to get past the French on the slow moving, clumsy raft. Some expedient offering more hope of a safe issue must be devised.
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1
ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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detour
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| n.绕行的路，迂回路；v.迂回，绕道 | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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7
scouting
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| 守候活动，童子军的活动 | |
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ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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disquieting
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| adj.令人不安的，令人不平静的v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的现在分词 ) | |
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ace
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| n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的 | |
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scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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philosophically
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| adv.哲学上；富有哲理性地；贤明地；冷静地 | |
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everlastingly
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| 永久地，持久地 | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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15
skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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marrow
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| n.骨髓；精华；活力 | |
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gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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21
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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24
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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sedulously
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| ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
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aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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daunt
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| vt.使胆怯，使气馁 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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35
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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despondent
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| adj.失望的，沮丧的，泄气的 | |
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lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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38
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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39
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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41
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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42
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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43
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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44
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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45
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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46
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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47
beavers
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| 海狸( beaver的名词复数 )； 海狸皮毛； 棕灰色； 拼命工作的人 | |
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48
abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
hatchets
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| n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 )；恶毒攻击；诽谤；休战 | |
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50
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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51
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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52
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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54
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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55
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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56
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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57
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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59
wrestled
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| v.（与某人）搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 )；扭成一团；扭打；（与…）摔跤 | |
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60
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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