The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 69: 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. ~——--— 59 pe courage of Nick now oozed out of his finger ends This sudden decadency was partly occasioned by evaporation of the stimulus, and partly by. the un- dismayed and even threatening aspect of the bear. The seaman levelled his weapon in an attitude suited either for offenive or defensive action, and stood still, watching the animal. The bear pursued similar tactics. Nick tried in vain to rally his drooping courage to make the attack. His enemy was too formidable. His appearance too imposing. . The former shouted uselessly, advanced his sword, and made feints of attack. The latter, either not understanding, or despising such unmanliness, obstinately stood his ground. Already the hmbs of the seaman began to quiver, and yet he could not, with safety to himself, re- treat. Bruin, after some time spent in this tedious am- buseade, possessing less reflection, or being regard- "less of consequences, began with audacious boldness to advance. The nigh approach of the animal, and. his un- shaken step, subdued the spark of bravery that Nick had hitherto upheld, and, turning tail, he igno- miniously let go the painter, cut and run. The moment of peril had now arrived. The flight caused pursuit, and the bear, being better practised in snow travelling, and better pro- vided for it, soon gained rapidly upon the fugitive. His sword becoming an encumbrance, he threw it down, and still kept on his retreat. This circumstance was a fortunate one for the now breathless Nick. His weapon excited the bear’s attention. The brute stopped, pawed it, and then renewed the chase. He was soon again at the heels of the panting runner, who, conscious of the favourable etfect of the sword, dropped one of. his snow-mittens. The stratagem succeeded, and the bear again stopped to examine the fallen glove. Nick had—improving on these intervals—made considerable progress ahead. Bruin continued the hunt with most provoking perseverance. It was again arrested by the other mitten, and, finally, the tur cap of the seaman. The latter article of dress was an object that raised unmitigated fury in the enraged animal. It was torn into shreds between his fore paws and teeth, and the incautious adventurer would have become a victim, had not a friendly iceberg afforded him assistance, anda pool of running water destroyed the scent. Brandy-nosed Nick, in eluding his late perscutor, too soon discovered that he had strayed from the direct route. He was too exhausted to proceed, and therefore sought a shelter where he could repose, till returning strength would permit him to resume his perilous journey homewards. In a few minutes he came upon a place which seemed, by its appearance, likely to offer him an assured retreat; at least, it was the best he could find to answer his purpose under existing circum- stances. The abode in which the seaman intended to take refuge, was one of those beautiful stalactite grot- toes of which travellers have spoken with rapture, when exploring the lands adjacent both to the Northeru and Southern poles. As Brandy-nosed Nick surveyed the wondrous work of nature, whose prismatic colours checkered / | with. rainbow aa the surrounding darkness, he could not repress a feeling of admiration mingled with one of awe. This impression was shortly and suddenly to be effaced by the sound of approaching footsteps. Mechanically drawing back behind a huge block of spar, he saw, without being himself observed, two figures enter by the narrow opening of the grotto. “He could hardly stifle an exclamation of surprise, as he beheld in one of the intruders his long lost messmate, Gonzalvi. Curiosity and prudence had tied his tongue, and, with sometbing like apprehension, he scrutinised the youth’s| companion, who was no other than Corah, the Indian Queen. To this retreat, apparently, they had strayed to be free from interruption. The features of Gonzalvi were/overcast. Those of his mistress were lighted by a soft smile. Drawing. the former to a rude seat, such as the cavern afforded, Corah produced from her bosom a pine torch, strongly girded with gnatoo, or Indian hemp. Fire, struck froma flint, arrayed the grot with ight. It was wide, high, and possessed a self-born gothic canopy. The arch, architraye, and buttress, seemed formed by some earthquake, and hardened by earth-obsorb- ing fire. While glistening stalactites, tinged by the flaming brand, shed glowing colours upon the broken and vast expanse, “ What think you, love, of this wild recess ?”’ said Corah, as she pressed Gonzalvi to her impassioned breast. The youth surveyed with wonder the place, and With a gaze ill- suited to the soft. caress of her who awaited in silence his reply. “ Have I over-rated this delightful retreat?” she continued, after a pause. “It is, indeed, one of the choicest works of the great creator !"? muttered Gonzalvi ; ‘neither man’s hand nor art could have so curiously, so divinely contrived it. ** No, here the rapturous bosom may pour forth its strains of ardent love. ‘Here we can mingle soft sighs,” continued Corah, “ here, bid the throbbing heart lie still; for all that imagination or affection can picture, may in this elysium be realized.” “Good heavens! how imprudent I have acted, to stray hither with this woman, ’ thought Gonzalvi. “You do not answer me,’ ’ she said, ‘“‘but appear as cold as the very icicles, which fringe this grotto,’ “Come,” resumed Coraa, ‘‘let me tell, I love thee beyond any earthly being my eyes ever yet beheld. You will return it, will you not?” “I cannot—dare not.” “ How, slighted! my proferred love refused! Who is there that, whenever Corah, the Queen of the white beaver tribe, named her commands, neue hesitate to obey them.” The woman who pronounced this tirade might well have represented, so far as teatures, stature, and voice were concerned, the Boadicea of the Britons, or the Egyptian Potiphar’s wife. Her face was still handsome, though expose2d to the ravages of time, and the effects of the severe weather of the country. As Corah threw back her cloak from her shoulders, a sort. of jacket, stamped with figures in gold, became visible, and her girdle bearing an ambiguous weapon shaped like a knife, next armed her hand, Wita such appearances, Gonzalvi could only look upon his fitful companion with horror and dread. ; NUUCLIOOKS a G (C©)