"Ugh!" he said. "Who are you? A prisoner? Surely you cannot be that same Frenchman we helped entertain last night?"
"I am not the Frenchman," I answered deliberately7, vainly hoping his watchful8 eyes might wander ? 338 ? about the lodge9 long enough to yield me chance for a spring at his throat, "though I was one of his party. I only came here to bring comfort to this poor girl."
"No doubt she needs it," he replied drily, "and your way is surely a good one. Yet I doubt if Little Sauk would approve it, and as his friend, I must speak for him in the matter. Do you say you are also a prisoner? To what chief?"
"To none," I answered shortly, resolved now to venture all in a trial of strength. He read this decision in my eyes, and stepped back warily10. At the same instant Toinette flung her arms restrainingly about my neck.
"Don't, John!" she urged, using my name thus for the first time; "the savage11 has a gun hidden beneath his robe!"
I saw the weapon as she spoke, and saw too the angry glint in the fellow's eye as he thrust the muzzle12 menacingly forward. As we stood thus, glaring at each other, a sudden remembrance made me pause. "Sau-ga-nash"?—surely it was neither more nor less than a Wyandot expression signifying "Englishman." That broad face was not wholly Indian; could this be the half-breed chief of whom I had so often heard? 'Twas worth the chance to learn.
"You are Sau-ga-nash?" I asked, slowly, Toinette still clinging to me, her face over her shoulder to front the silent savage. "A chief of the Wyandots?"
"Don't John! The savage has a gun hidden beneath his robe!"
? 339 ?
He moved his head slightly, with a mutter of acquiescence13, his eyes expressing wonder at the question.
"The same whom the Americans name Billy Caldwell?"
"'Tis the word used by the whites."
I drew a quick breath of relief, which caused Mademoiselle to release her grasp a little, as her anxious eyes sought my face for explanation.
"Recall you a day twelve years ago on the River Raisin14?" I asked clearly, feeling confident now that my words were no longer idle. "An Indian was captured in his canoe by a party of frontiersmen who were out to revenge a bloody15 raid along the valley of the Maumee. That Indian was a Wyandot and a chief. He was bound to a tree beside the river bank and condemned16 to torture; when the leader of the rangers17, a man with a gray beard, stood before him rifle in hand, and swore to kill the first white man who put flint and steel to the wood. Recall you this, Sau-ga-nash?"
The stolid18 face of the listening savage changed, the expression of revengeful hostility19 merging20 into one of undisguised amazement21.
"That which you picture has not left my memory," he answered gravely.
"Nor the pledge you gave to that white captain when he brought you safely to Detroit?" I queried22, eagerly.
? 340 ?
"Nor the pledge. But what has all this to do here?"
"Only, Sau-ga-nash, that I am Major David Wayland's son."
The Indian sprang forward, his eyes burning fiercely; and thinking his movement to be hostile, I thrust the girl aside that I might be free to repel23 his attack. But he did not touch me, merely peering eagerly into my face with a keen questioning look that read my every feature.
"You have the nose and forehead," he reflected aloud; "yes, and the eyes. Before the Great Spirit, I will redeem25 my pledge; a chief of the Wyandots cannot lie."
He paused, and I could mark the varied26 emotions that swayed him, so deeply was he moved by this strange discovery. Unconsciously my hand clasped Mademoiselle's, for now I felt that our fate hung on his decision.
"'Tis a hard task, Master Wayland," he admitted at length, almost wearily, "but for your father's sake it shall be done. I see only one way for it, and that by water. Know you anything about the management of boats?"
"Only as I have paddled upon the Maumee," I answered, doubtfully, "although I handled a small sail when a mere24 boy in the far East."
"'Twill suffice if the fair weather hold, as is likely ? 341 ? at this season. At least it may be risked. The land trails are crowded by Indians from far-off tribes, hastening hither in hope of fight and spoils. More than a hundred came in to-day, painted for war, and angry because too late. You could not escape encountering such parties, were you to flee by trail eastward27; nor would they show mercy to any white. The Silver-man has returned to his home north of the river; but 'tis all that we who are friendly to him can do to keep these warriors from attacking even there. 'Tis the Indians from far away that make the trouble; and these grow more numerous and powerful each day. We keep a guard at the house to save the Silver-man and his family; and were more whites to seek refuge there, we should lose all control. There is still safety at the mouth of the Saint Joseph River, and 'tis there you must go. The venture must be made to-night, and by water. Is it known to any Indian that you are alive and within this camp?"
"To none."
"That is well; we can work best alone. Now listen. At midnight, Master Wayland, a boat, pre pared for the trip, will await you, hidden under the ruins of the Agency building. The river flows under the flooring deep enough for the purpose, and I will place the boat there with my own hand. Beyond that, all must rest upon your own skill and good fortune. You will wait here," and he glanced about anxiously ? 342 ? for some means of concealment29, "lying behind those robes yonder, until the hour."
"Here?" I questioned, thinking instantly of my duty to De Croix. "But I would first have speech with the Frenchman. He is my friend, Sau-ga-nash. Besides, I have left my rifle in the council lodge."
The face of the savage darkened, and his eyes gleamed ominously30 as they roamed questioningly from my face to Toinette's.
"I said you were to stay hidden here," he answered shortly, his tone showing anger, and his hand pointing at the robes. "Many of the sleeping Pottawattomies are again astir without, and you could not hope to gain the council lodge undiscovered. What care I for this Frenchman, that I should risk my life to save him? I pledge myself only to Major Wayland's son; and even if I aid you, it is on condition that you go alone."
"Alone, say you?" and I rested my hand on Mademoiselle's shoulder. "I would die here, Sau-ga-nash, and by torture, before I would consent to go one step without this girl."
"Then be it so," he said mockingly. "'Tis your own choice. I have offered redemption of my pledge."
I started to utter some harsh words in answer; but before I could speak, Toinette pressed her soft palm upon my lips in protest.
? 343 ?
"Refuse him not," she murmured hastily. "'Tis the only chance; for my sake, do not anger him."
What plan her quick wit may have engendered34, I did not know; but I yielded to the entreaty35 in her pleading eyes, and sullenly36 muttered the first conscious lie of my life.
"I accept your terms, Sau-ga-nash, harsh as they are."
He looked from one to the other of us, his face dark with distrust and doubt.
"You are not mine to dispose of," he said sternly to the trembling girl, who visibly shrank from his approach, and clung once more to me. "You are prisoner to Little Sauk; nor will I release one thus held by the Pottawattomies. They and the Wyandots are brothers. But I trust you, and not the word of this white man. Pledge me not to go with him, and I will believe you."
She glanced first at me, then back into the swarthy, merciless face. Her cheeks were white and her lips trembled, yet her eyes remained clear and calm.
"I give you my word, Sau-ga-nash," she said quietly. "While I am held as prisoner by Little Sauk, I will not go away with John Wayland."
Little as I believed these words to be true at the time, the sound of them so dulled me with apprehension37 that I could only stare at her in speechless amazement. ? 344 ? It seemed to me then as if the power of reason had deserted38 me, as if my brain had been so burdened as to refuse its office. I recall that Toinette almost compelled me to lie down against the farther side of the lodge, placing a pile of skins in front of me and assuming a position herself where she could occasion ally reach across the barrier and touch me with her soft hand. No doubt she realized the struggle in my mind, for she spoke little after the departure of the half-breed, as if anxious to permit me to figure out the future for myself. Little by little I faced it, and came to an irrevocable decision. It was to be Toinette or nothing. While it might be true that she was in no immediate39 danger, and possibly could be safely ransomed40 if I once escaped to civilization, yet the risk of such venture and delay was too great; nor would my love abide41 so vast a sacrifice on her part. I thought to say this to her; but there was a look of firm decision in her sweet face, as her dark eyes met mine, that somehow held me silent. I felt that in her own heart she must already know what action I would choose, and the final moment would prove sufficient test for her evident determination. Reassured42 here, my thoughts turned to De Croix; but that was useless. I could send no message to him; he was no longer in especial peril43, and perhaps would not willingly desert his newly found wife even to escape the savages44. Nay45, it was to be Toinette and I, now and forever.
? 345 ?
I do not clearly remember at this day what it was we spoke about in the brief whispering that passed between us while we waited there. Neither of us felt like voicing our real thoughts, and so we but dissembled, making commonplaces fill the gaps between our silences. The night found us undisturbed, and it shut down so darkly within the narrow confines of the lodge that I lost all trace of her presence, but for an occasional movement or the sound of her low voice. Without, the rapidly increasing noise indicated a return of many savages to the camp, until at last a fire was kindled46 in the open space, its red flame sending some slight illumination where we were, but not enough to reveal the interior of the lodge. An Indian brought the girl some food, entering and leaving without uttering a sound; and we two ate together, striving to speak lightly in order to make the coarse meal more palatable47.
Suddenly I became aware of a faint scratching upon the skin of the lodge, at my back. At first I supposed it to be some wild animal, or possibly a stray dog; but the regularity48 of it showed a purpose of some kind. Could it be De Croix? Or was it the half-breed with some secret message he dared not deliver openly? I lifted the lodge covering slightly, and placed my lips to the aperture49.
"Is some one there?" I whispered cautiously "Who is it?"
? 346 ?
"I am Sister Celeste," came the immediate low reply. "Are you the white man I guided?"
"Ay," I answered, rejoicing at this rare good for tune28, "and I beg you to listen to what I say. There will be a boat awaiting us beneath the old Agency building at midnight. You must be there with De Croix."
"De Croix?"
"Yes; I know not if that be his name to you, but I mean the Frenchman whose life you saved. Will you take him thither50 at midnight, together with the rifle I left in the council lodge?"
For a moment she did not answer. Doubtless it was a bitter struggle for her thus to agree even to meet the man again. At last she made reply, although I could plainly mark the faltering51 of her voice.
"The man of whom you speak shall be there," she said, "unless some accident make it impossible."
As I drew back my head, and sat upright, Mademoiselle spoke questioningly.
"With whom were you conversing52 just now, Monsieur?"
"The young woman of whom we have spoken so often," I answered thoughtlessly. "She has pledged herself to bring De Croix to the meeting-place."
"Indeed!" she exclaimed, with accent so peculiar53 I knew not how to interpret it. "It almost makes me desire to form one of your party."
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1
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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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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3
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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repression
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| n.镇压，抑制，抑压 | |
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7
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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11
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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12
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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13
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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raisin
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| n.葡萄干 | |
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15
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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16
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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17
rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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18
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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20
merging
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| 合并（分类） | |
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21
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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22
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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23
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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24
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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25
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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26
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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28
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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29
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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30
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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31
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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32
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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33
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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34
engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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36
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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37
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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38
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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39
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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40
ransomed
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| 付赎金救人，赎金( ransom的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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42
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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43
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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44
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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45
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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46
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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47
palatable
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| adj.可口的，美味的；惬意的 | |
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48
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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49
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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50
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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51
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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52
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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53
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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