The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 57: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

‘THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE-BOUND SHIP. 47 my future life shall prove how much I honour you.” There was a tear in the eye of the Indian as these words were spoken, but it vanished as spring sun- shine succeeds the sudden shower. With a smile, Miamas addressed his com- panions— ; “Though danger lurks in the path of the Yengese, the red-man will avert it.’’ “Weare ready to meet it.” ‘The snake is crawling, and you cannot extract its sting,’ exclaimed Miamas., . “Yes,” returned Fergus, we are protected by the gift of the Flying Dutchman, and——” “Trust not the ice that bends,” interrupted Miamas, “the wizard has a tongue like the false call of the wild cat. “His cunning,” continued the Indian, “ tells him how to get together the goods of the earth, and his arms to enclose the land ; the Great Spirit gave him enough, and yet he wants more—such is the Flying Dutchman.” ‘ Forbear, forbear, Miamas, I beseech you,” cried Sumach, while her blanched cheek bespoke the terror that inspirec her. ‘Oh, enrage not the powerful being whose wrath might in an instant overwhelm us with destruction.” “Calm your apprehensions, Sumach,” said Fergus, “and our friend will promise, I know, for your sake, not to offend Vanderdecken again either by word or action. Miamas made no remark, but turned abruptly and announced it was time for them to depart. Sumach had learned to still the exhibition of her emotion, and, accompanying Fergus and Miamas, descended the further precipitous side of that eminence . which they had lately ascended. a, The Indian appeared to be familiar with the sequestered place where they now were, and, as he sat about his work of guide with such perfect freedom, Fergus was induced by curiosity to inquire into the circumstances of their late pursuit. “How is if you were able to come up with us so s0on,”’ he asked, ‘‘ and discover our ambush ?” The sight of the Indian is too keen to be cheated,’’ replied Miamas; “‘a black speck on the lake is the sign of a canoe, and the rock we are treading the refuge of an outcast.” «‘ And these simple indications were sufficient for you to guess our whereabouts ?” ‘You say truly. I knew, in her flight, Sumach could have but one retreat, and, as you see, Miamas has taken the burthen she was destined to bear.” Fergus at this moment observed Miamas diverge from the open path, and dive into a deep and dark valley on the left. “ Why have you lelt the main route?” said Su- mach. ‘‘If we are entangled in the intricacies of the loadstone rock we shall perish of hunger.’’ “Do you not hear the conch of the tribe?” re- plied Miamas; ‘“‘they have got our trail, and with it the scalp of the Yengese, unless I put them off the scent.” -“¢ His sense of hearing astonishes me,”’ muttered _ Fergus, after a time, as the sound the Indian had spoken of reached kim; ‘‘he must have observed the signal three minutes before myself.” After they had gone some distance, during which a profound silence had ensued, Sumach ventured to ask again the object of their journey. ’ ‘‘ We shall reach the inner bay by this track,” said Miamas; ‘“ we are on ground that I have often travelied in the seal hunt.’’ - ‘But we are at some distance from the place you have mentioned,” said Fergus, advancing with in- terest nearer the scout. — : “It is yet a long and weary path,” was his answer, ‘but I know how to strike it.” ‘Then we have no boat.’’ “We shall find there materials with which a rude raft may be formed, that will drift us with safety over the sheet of dull and dreary water.” The progress of these adventurers was, after some toilsome miles had been accomplished, inter- rupted by a number of huge blocks. These had been thrown up by some convulsion of nature, and, crumbling like a broad barrier to a wilderness, served as a shelter to the oppressed fugitives. “Ah!” gaid Miamas, pointing to the spot in question, “this is the signal given to man to seek his food and natural rest; better and wiser would it be, could he understand the gifts of providence, and take a lesson from the fowls of the air and the beasts of the earth.” Without waiting for an assent, or, indeed, any reply, the speaker moved boldly into a recess before him. While Fergus hesitated to approach the hollow, Sumach entered it without fear, and seemed pre- pared to enjoy the halt with obvious interest. “Is our resting-place sufficiently retired?” de- manded the vigilant Fergus. ‘“ Have we chosen a place sufficiently unknown and rarely visited?” “few live who know of it,” returned Miamas, ‘TI, by the veriest chance, discovered the singular fastness; but discussion may interrupt the harmony so necessary to the preservation of yourself and your fair companion; we have journeyed far, and fatigue and weakness require rest and refresh- ment.” The dialogue ceased as Miamas drew a gourd and some eatables from a wallet hanging by his side. Fergus and Sumach partook of the rude cheer which duty required, much more than inclination prompted them to accept. The meal had ended, and the jaded wanderers fallen into a doze, when a step was heard as if making for the solitary retreat. Miamas sprang to his feet, and with increasing intenseness peered into the gloom. ‘“Who comes?” he cried, feeling for his toma- hawk at the place where it was usually suspended. ‘“‘ Speak—friend or foe?” ‘‘Friend,” replied a low voice. ‘ Time to move when sleep shuts the eyes of the red-man.” “‘ Miamas hears an enemy,’’ whispered the Indian. ‘‘T scent danger in the wind.” “Heaven forbid!” said Fergus, aroused from his light slumber. While speaking, he drew his pistol, and prepared to expose his life in defence of his companions.” “Tis some wild animal of the region prowling around us in quest of food,” he continued, in a whisper, as soon as the sound which startled Mia- mas had reached his own ear. “No, tis a man,’’ returned the attentive Indian; *“ possibly one of the outlying parties, who have struck upon our new track. **J don’t like to spill blood in this spot,” he added, looking round with superstitious awe marked on his features; “but the safety of Sumach demands the sacrifice. Miamas bade his companions retire further into the recess. ~ He would take no denial. Fergus, with some hesitation, obeyed the behest. The approaching footsteps were now too distinctly audible to leaye any doubt as to the nature of the interruption. ' Miamas, brave and even fierce as he sometimes KS-CO in