"But, William, what other alternative offers us any hope?"
"I confess I know not, for your last mistake has greatly aggravated1 the situation."
I sat up hastily, for seemingly these words were spoken at the very side of the bunk3 on which I lay. As I glanced about me I saw the room was vacant; so I knew the conference thus accidentally overheard must be taking place in an adjoining apartment. I was thoroughly4 awake when Captain Heald's voice spoke2 again.
"You say a mistake,—what mistake?" he questioned, as though aggrieved5. "I have done no more than simply obey the orders of my superior officer."
? 192 ?
"That may be true," broke in the gentler tones of Lieutenant6 Helm, "but of that we are unable to judge, for not one of your officers has been privileged to see those orders."
"You shall see them now. If I have been remiss7 in taking you into my confidence in these grave matters, it has been because of certain malcontents in the garrison8 with whom I hesitated to confer."
There was a rustle9 of paper, and Heald read slowly. I failed to distinguish the opening words, but as he reached the more important portion of the document his utterance10 grew deeper, and I heard distinctly this sentence:
"Evacuate11 the post if practicable, and in that event distribute the property belonging to the United States in the Fort, and in the factory or agency, to the Indians in the neighborhood."
There was a pause as he concluded. Captain Wells spoke first.
"To my mind, these orders are not positive, and leave much to your discretion12. Who brought the message, and when?"
"A Wyandot named Winnemeg. He reached here on the ninth."
"There was a rustle of paper, and Heald read slowly:
'Evacuate the post if practicable.'"
? 193 ?
"Ay! Though he had no oral message from General Hull14, he counselled immediate15 evacuation. I also felt such action to be wise; but things were in such condition within the Fort,—so large a number of helpless women and children to be provided for, and so heavy a proportion of the garrison on the sick-list,—that I found it impossible to act promptly16. The Indians gathered so rapidly without, and assumed so hostile a manner, that I thought it suicidal to attempt a march through the wilderness17, encumbered18 as we should be, without some positive understanding with their chiefs."
"I can easily comprehend all this, and that you have sought to act for the best," was Wells's comment; "but I fail to realize how you hoped to appease20 those same Indians by the wanton destruction last night of the liquor thrown into the river. It was done in direct opposition21 to the orders you have just read, and is bound to increase the hatred22 of the savages24. You may be sure they are not ignorant of the contents of your despatch25, and must resent the destruction of property they consider their own."
"'Twas done upon the advice of two of their leading chiefs."
"Indeed! Which two?"
"Topenebe and Little Sauk."
"The two biggest devils in that whole Pottawattomie camp, and the head and front of their war-party! Their purpose is clear enough to my mind, and seamed with treachery. Well, Heald, from my knowledge of Indian nature I must say that whoever ? 194 ? goes forth26 now to confer with yonder redskins has a desperate mission; but if you are still determined27 upon such a conference, I will take my chances with you. 'Tis given unto man but once to die."
"No, William," replied Captain Heald, with more firmness. "It is your part to remain here in protection of your niece, my wife; and if my own officers refuse to volunteer in this service, I shall go forth alone to meet the chiefs. It is my duty as commandant."
"Two of your officers are here," said Wells, "and they can probably answer for themselves. Ensign Ronan is not present."
"He is acting28 as officer of the day," returned Heald, somewhat stiffly, "and is therefore not eligible29 for such service. Perhaps one of the officers here present possesses courage enough for the venture?"
Apparently30 neither cared to express himself, after such an insinuation. At last one, whose voice I recognized as that of Surgeon Van Voorhis, gave utterance to his refusal.
"As the only medical officer of the garrison, I feel justified31 in declining to go upon so desperate an expedition," he said gravely. "It would expose not only my own life to unnecessary peril32, but the lives of many others as well."
? 195 ?
"Captain Heald has before this seen me in time of danger," he said quietly, "and can have no reason for ascribing cowardice35 to me. But I will frankly36 say this, sir, and with all respect to my commanding officer, I believe such conference as now proposed with the hostile Indians yonder, at this late day, to be perfectly37 useless, and that every hour's delay since the receipt of orders to evacuate the post has only tended to increase our danger and lessen38 our hope of escape. I feel now that our only chance of safety lies in defending this stockade39 against attack until a rescue party from the East can reach us. I have a young wife among the women of this garrison; to her I owe allegiance, as well as to the flag I serve. Feeling as I do, Captain Heald, as a soldier I will obey any command you give, and will go forth upon this mission if ordered to do so, either in your company or alone; but I cannot volunteer for such service. I believe it to be foolhardy, and that whoever undertakes it goes forth to almost certain death."
"Then I shall go alone," said Heald, sternly; "nor do I look forward to any such disastrous40 ending to so open a mission of peace."
"Wait," broke in Wells, impulsively41. "I have a final suggestion to make, if you are resolved to go. There rode in my party hither a rattle-brained gallant42, ? 196 ? bearing a French commission, who ought to prove sufficiently43 reckless to lend you his companionship. Faith! but I think it may well suit the fellow. Be sides, if he wore his French uniform it might have weight with the reds."
"Who is he?" asked Heald, doubtfully. "I seem not to have memory of him."
"He calls himself Captain Villiers de Croix, and holds commission in the Emperor's Guard."
Scarcely were the words spoken when I was on my feet, all vestige45 of sleep gone from my eyes. De Croix was hardly a friend of mine, since late developments, but he had been my comrade for many a league of hard forest travel, and I was unwilling46 to have him carelessly sacrificed in a venture regarding the danger of which he knew nothing. Besides, I counted on his sword to aid in the defence of Mademoiselle. I understood thoroughly the desperate chances of Indian treachery that lay before such a commission as was now proposed. It was rash in the extreme; and only the terrors of our position could sanction such an experiment. The savages that hemmed47 us in were already in an ugly mood, and fully44 conscious of their power. To go forth to them, unarmed and uninvited, as Captain Heald coolly proposed doing, was to walk open-eyed into a trap which treachery might snap shut at any time. It was not my purpose to halt De Croix, nor to stand between him and any adventure he might ? 197 ? choose to undertake; but I could at least warn him, in a friendly spirit, of the imminent48 danger such a thing involved.
With this thought in mind, I ran hastily across the open parade into the officers' mess-hall, hoping I might find him loitering there. To my hasty glance, the place appeared deserted49; and I drew back, wondering where to turn next in search. As I hesitated on the threshold, the low voice of Mademoiselle fell upon my ear; and at that moment she emerged from behind the curtain which divided the officers' quarters.
"May I hope you are seeking me?" she asked, graciously; "for it has been most lonely here all day, even Captain de Croix seems to have forgotten my existence."
"It was De Croix I sought," I answered, somewhat nettled50 by her prompt reference to him; "and doubtless you are well able to give me trace of him."
She studied me keenly, marking an angry note in my voice that I sought vainly to disguise.
"Forever a quarrel?" she said, regretfully. "Do you know, Master Wayland, I had thought better of you. Surely it is not your nature to be a brawler51, and always seeking opportunity to show the strong hand! What has Captain de Croix done now to make you seek him so vengefully?"
"'Tis not in quarrel," I explained,—I fear with ill grace, for her words in his defence were little inclined ? 198 ? to mollify me. "You may indeed have so poor conception of me as to misinterpret my coming; yet in truth I seek De Croix in friendship, hoping that I may by a chance word serve him."
"Indeed! what danger threatens, that he needs to be warned against?"
I hesitated; for, now that my blood had somewhat cooled, my mission seemed a bit foolish.
"I insist upon knowing," she continued haughtily52, her eyes full upon mine, "or I shall believe you sought him for hostile purpose, and would deceive me by fair words."
"Mademoiselle," I answered gravely, "you do me wrong. Only a few moments ago I chanced to overhear a discussion, by the officers of this Fort, regarding a commission to go forth and hold council with the Indians. Captain Heald is determined upon such a course; but none will volunteer to accompany him, because of the grave danger of savage23 treachery. The Frenchman's name was mentioned as one reckless enough to join with such a party; and I sought to warn him ere he accepted blindly. He is hardly a friend of mine,—yet it seems no more than fair that he should know the full measure of his peril before saying 'yes.'"
"You are indeed a true heart, John Wayland, and ? 199 ? have shamed me rightly. I know well the deceit and treachery of Indian nature, and can understand the peril such a party would run. Promise me that you will prevent Captain de Croix from becoming one of them."
"But you must do more!" she cried imperatively55. "He will surely go if asked. A warning such as you propose would only stir his blood. I beg you to use your wits a little, so that he may know nothing of it."
I looked at her, deeply hurt by the interest so openly displayed.
"You are wondrously56 aroused for the Frenchman's safety, Mademoiselle!"
"Yes, though not as you may fancy. Captain de Croix came here for my sake, even though no word of mine gave him reason for doing so. For this reason I could never forgive myself if harm befell him on such a journey. 'Twould be as if I had lured57 him to his death. So 'tis for my sake, not his, that I ask the favor."
I leaned against the log wall and thought quickly, her anxious eyes never leaving my face. There came into my mind a conviction that the girl really loved him; and this made the struggle harder for me to serve him. Nor did I see clearly how it could well be ? 200 ? done, save through a sacrifice of myself, such as I had never intended.
"Surely," she urged, "your wits will conceive some way in which it may be done?"
"Yes," I answered, eager now to hide my own feeling from her; "'tis not hopeless. You desire that he be kept within the Fort, ignorant of this commission?"
"I do; 'tis the only way."
"Very well, it shall be done, Mademoiselle. No, I need no thanks from you. Only do this simple thing, which, I am sure, you will find no hardship,—keep Captain de Croix from any possible contact with others for an hour. Your eyes will prove sufficient, no doubt, to enchain him that long; if not, use other measures."
"But what will you do?"
"That does not count. 'Tis the result, not the means, that must content you. I have my plan, and it will work; but I cannot stay here longer to discuss it. Only do your part well, and I pledge you the safety of De Croix."
I left her standing19 there, the light of questioning still in her eyes; but I wished mainly to be safely away, where I might hide my own sudden heart-ache in the energy of action.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
aggravated
|
|
| 使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使更严重； 激怒； 使恼火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
bunk
|
|
| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
aggrieved
|
|
| adj.愤愤不平的，受委屈的；悲痛的；（在合法权利方面）受侵害的v.令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式)；令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
lieutenant
|
|
| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
remiss
|
|
| adj.不小心的，马虎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
rustle
|
|
| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
utterance
|
|
| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
evacuate
|
|
| v.遣送；搬空；抽出；排泄；大(小)便 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
discretion
|
|
| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
hull
|
|
| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
wilderness
|
|
| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
encumbered
|
|
| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
appease
|
|
| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
despatch
|
|
| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
eligible
|
|
| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
justified
|
|
| a.正当的，有理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
scruples
|
|
| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
tremor
|
|
| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
cowardice
|
|
| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
frankly
|
|
| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
lessen
|
|
| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
stockade
|
|
| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
disastrous
|
|
| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
impulsively
|
|
| adv.冲动地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
vestige
|
|
| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
unwilling
|
|
| adj.不情愿的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
hemmed
|
|
| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
imminent
|
|
| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
nettled
|
|
| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
brawler
|
|
| 争吵者，打架者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
haughtily
|
|
| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
aglow
|
|
| adj.发亮的；发红的；adv.发亮地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
perplexed
|
|
| adj.不知所措的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
imperatively
|
|
| adv.命令式地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
wondrously
|
|
| adv.惊奇地，非常，极其 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
lured
|
|
| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |