The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

-_ ba gurled. angroach of the executioners, and came to a halt. Wissaipg one. ba conceived in arctic latitudes. wpuintered pyramids, creeping glaciers, and towers were lost only in an expanse too vast to be observed by human vision. These again, brightened by the Aurora-gleam romance. At the foot of Paul Jones lay the Sea-weed Hollow. An extensive dell enclosed in mineral rocks, covered by dulse, sea-weed, and other marine vegetation. These singular valleys have been frequently noticed by travellers, who assert that their appearance re- sembles autumnal foliage, and afford a stricking con tract to the sterile face of the icy regions. Having described the position in which we find Paul Jones, let us not lose sight of the object he has in view, the deliverance of Gonzalvi. “Tt is strange,” said he, “‘ that the Indians, who appear so friendly in general to the white-men, can behave so treacherously to us.” a ‘“‘T suspect that the devil’s bird Rotaldo, has been at some of his tricks,’ replied Nick. ‘‘ Depend upon it he’s in the neighbourhood, hatching mis- chief.” 3 ‘“‘ Yes, the presence of the crew we encountered on our journey hither, weuld lead me to think with you on this point.”’ ‘¢ Ah, the rascals,” said Nick, “‘ I think we paid off an instalment of the debt we owe them for their scurvy treatment. I wander how they got on with- out their boat ; the lubbers, I wouldn’t throw out a rope to them if they’d gone twice down in the sea of despair.” é “Their signal for assistance was answered,” rejoined Paul Jones ; “therefore probably they are safely landed by this.” “‘ More breakers ahead, Eh, captain ?” “‘ Tet us hope for the best,’’ returned Paul Jones, there is seldom an arduous undertaking without danger. “ But,’’ continued the speaker, ‘let us bear in mind there is ever a kind providence above to protect the helpless and the persevering.” “ That’s the chart we must steer,by,” said Brandy- nosed Nick, “and Ill stick to you like a shark does to a vessel, when there’s a pestilence on board her.” “The mutineer’s boat we have captured,” said Paul Jones, “ has been of service to us, since we have been able to reach this spot before them, and may be useful to us ina further extremity You have plenty of powder °” “A little for present purposes,” replied Nick, indi- back. | “ Be steady, then. If we are compelled to fire, which heaven avert, donot level at the red-men, but fire, over their heads. I seek rather to intimidate, than injure them.” . The glare of pine torches was now cast upon the distant entrance of the sombre valley, to which Paul Jones, the next moment descended by the pathway immediately before him. “The White Beavers are approaching with their prisoner,” he said, “ we must also advance, but remain concealed, till we gain yon promortory.” THE FROZEN CREW &p ICE-BOUND SHIP. waving crossed the lalte, they mounted the steep 1esperg, from which Manitto had ordered Gonzalvi to , sane fugitives look round them in vain for the ‘ka position they had attained was a most com- «une, in truth, of the most picturesque that could or ice, spread themselves on every side for miles, and flashing prismatic glances, presented a scene more astounding than those pictured in the stories of wild cating asmall cask slung by a piece of rope over his’ ~ “ There,’’ he added, “ we shall have a command- ing view, and vantage ground. The route of Paul Jones lay along the bed of a water course. t Though protected from any great danger of obser- vation, by the precipitous banks and the thick shrubbery of sea-weed that skirted the stream for the whole distance, he neglected no precaution known to an Indian attack. Paul Jones crawled rather than walked, so as to catch occasional glimpses of the progress of the hostile party. Arrived at the destination he had spoken of, he halted and listened. The men, whose approaching footsteps, had caught his ear, the next minute came openly into view. They were, as had been supposed, the Indians and their captive. Gonzalvi, in the torch lit assemblage, stood erect and firm, prepared to mect his fate like a hero. He seemed neither palsied by terror, or stricken with shame. Paul Jones, as he gazed on the boy, felt a power- ful impulse of admiration and pity, though no oppor- - tunity could offer at the present minute, to exhibit his generous emotions. - He watched, however, the slightest movement with eager eyes. While he persuaded himself, seconded by a noble resolution, that he would yet bear his youthful comrade harmless though so severe a trial. Insensibly the pirate chief drew nearer the swarthy lines of the savage tribe, who had formed a circle around Gonzalvi. He scarcely breathed, so intense became his in- terest in the spectacle. The chief, Manitto, was now addressing the’ con- demned victim. “From yonder icy eminence you must ex piate your crime,’ he exclaimed, pointing to the precipice of death. ‘‘The White Beaver suffers not insult. His wife, the partner of his bosom is dearer to him than life. “Were she debased, her people disgraced, her name and reputation blotted, what would become of Manitto ? His bow would be nothing, his lance pointless, and his firm sinews tremble with fear.”’ The chief hesitated, then after a pause resumed : As he trod the wide frozen waters, his head that is erect would droop ; he dare not look his kinsman in the face. A great chief like Manitto has more thoughts than tongues. He looks to see that no enemies are on his trail. ‘‘T counsel you, chief, to look to consequences of acause so infamous,’ replied Gonzalvi with firm- ness. ‘It is useless for me to attempt to defend myself, or paliate my conduct, since you refuse to hear me.” “Our hearts, when we first saw the pale-face,” continued Mannito, “‘ were bound in friendship to- wards him—the wigwam and the hunting-ground were left at his disposal. The Yengese and the red- man smoked the calumet of peace. How has the warrior been requited ?” “For the last time I tell you, chief, your ears have been deceived,” answered Gonzalvi, impa- tiently, ‘If I-am to die, the sooner the better, since all I love is lost to me—lead me to the rock of death. I shall take my leap fearlessly, though it be sounded with a line of a hundred fathoms.” “Who dares say Manitto is deceived?”’ exclaimed Corah, advancing from the circle, and embracing her husband. “ Liar—traducer—ingrate! he would have been deceived but for my firmness. *‘ He would have been deceived,” she continued,