The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

i 80. mere man,’without a single characteristic to delight the soul’ of ‘wonder. | yee Brin, The transformation was so great and unexpected, that even Paul Jones could séarce forbear to laugh as the features of Miamas became revealed ‘to view. The ‘soft, dove-like eyes of ‘Sumath sparkled with theirays of revived hope; as she welcomed her former lover. He returned the greeting, but demanded’ with gravity of Paul Jones— © ‘‘Why does the Yéngese shout so loud’ and merrily, when murdering foemen hover around him?” “T trust you may be mistaken,” said the other, with’ much* more seriousness. of manner. ‘‘But in truth I took you for no Has than’ the redoubtable Flying Dutchman.”* |” The. shpesaebins Indian slightly frowned at a remark. Paul Jones observed this, and wishing his late ill-considered remark continued— * “You must allow that our terrors were maiddldhs enough, when they would ‘convert ‘an excellent manlike ‘you into'a fiend.” “Js our-peril imminent ?” asked Fergus Blake, ‘‘You'are like to have’ trouble,’ was the ee 8 curt reply. “ Not’now, I hope, with such an one as yon are to help us out-of difficulty.” “Your enemies are numerous,’ said Miamas, “and are even now scattered about the path you are taking,” ; “Ifa Facte: shard be inevitable,” exclaimed: Paul Jones, ‘‘you will decamp with the females‘ that will be entrusted to your care, while I and Fergus cover the retreat.” ““ Ay,’’ added the latter, “we can at least check the assailants; if we die for it.” ‘We mustdepart, and see what help there is for us.” ‘“@ur first object,” said Paul Jones, “ is the safety of Emona.” “YT know: her place of imprisonment,” rejoined Miamas, but» we shall not reach it without danger; the Hurons are before us, behind us, and all around.” ‘“ What should we do ?” ‘Follow in the the track I shall pursue,’ replied Miamas. “TI will lead the way, do you follow at a distance.” “ Why not keep together? >” “Tt would bring the ‘eut-throats right upon you.’ “ How so?” ‘Simply asked, and: simply answered,” ' said Miamas, “ They deem mea friend, you an enemy —were it wise to be in company ?” *‘Miamas knows the Huron’s trail,” interrupted Sumach; ‘‘ trust to him, and we shall not fault.” ‘‘He shall take his own course,” said Paul, ‘and I.am assured it is the best.” These words, uttered with a good countenance, showed how much the speaker's confideuce preserved him from his ‘previous fears. Miamas proceeded to marshal the company. He earnestly impressed upon all the necessity of maintaining a strict silence upon the march. He directed them. to pe, scrupulously every order he gave. “If you see me wave my hand above my head,” were his: last instractions, “bring yourselves im- mediately to a halt. ' “ If you see me Sp upon the ground,” to excuse continued the Indian, fly tothe nearest.cover, for you may be sure that there is mischief, or mischievous people nigh at hand; bat, trusting in the great spirit, we will circumvent them all. EA The confederatvs yarider ou on under the guid- ance of Miamas. 2 oF D THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE- BOUND SHIP. Half ‘an hour’s dau" ‘brought’ them to 2 low cabin of 16gs, that ‘had been deserted by the Indian tribes who had encamped there in their frequent in- cursions of the Horthern countries. It*stood on the verge of an abyss, in which a river could be heard, rushing tumultuously as if among broken.’ icy fragments and other obstruc- tions. It was one of those double cabins, usually found among the savage nations, which, while they form a rude homestead, serve algo the purpose of a fortress to the inmates, when attacked by a hostile tribe or the savage dnimals of’ the neigbourhood. A line of palisades, ehh) constructed, surrounded the building. Py This being directly in» the oehiird and ‘joining the palisddes at the sides, se ah the ‘enclousure into two little yards: The one was thus in front, the other in the rear. ‘In these there was room sufficient for horses and cattle, as well as for the garrison’ yt called upon to repel assailants. The space behind extended to the verge of the river's bank, which, falling down a sheer precipice, required no defence, and seenied never ES have been provided with it. The space in front circumscribed ‘a portion of the ice-field which here was destitute of either block, eminence or fragment. Such had been the original plan ae ebimdition of the fortified dwelling, which, manned by six or seven courageous defenders, might have bidden de- fiance to twice their number who attempted to storm it. The stockade, in the present time, was ina great part destroyed, either by the rigour of the climate or the attack of an enemy, especially in front. The stakes, in this part, seemed to have been rooted up by the piercing northern blast. Some appeared to have fallen actually from decay. The right wing, or cot, lay a black and moulder- ing pile of logs, evidently the work ‘of some grim- Visaged war, The only part of the tenement yet deitiaiily was the cot on the left-hand. ee consisted but of a single room. A glance would show it. Jt was almost roofless, and ready to fall. Nothing could be more truly cheerless ard for- bidding than the appearance of ,this ruined pile, as it reared its head with a thick covering of snow. The hoarse and dismal rush of the river below added double horror to its melancholy aspect. But whatever repugnance others might feel at such a dismal scene, it was witnessed with rapture by Paul Jones, for within the dismal shelter he knew he should find consolation. It was within this gloomy tenement his wife was imprisoned. Let us pass from its extention to its interior, and observe the occupants. The prisoners, Emona snd Nick, are heavily manacled, and, to’ prevent any attempt at e:cape, are fastened with stout hempen lashes to the strong uprights which support that part of the roof whicli still remains firm and in tolerable order. Hmona is dejected and pale, but resolution is im- printed on her marble connteuance, Nick bears his fate with a calm composure. “ Never despair, though you be five fathoms deep in the bilboes,” is his motto. His last sentiment in the world will be all of a piece with his whole practice. ‘‘For if they wet my whistle before they squeeze ip bs ejaculated, “I shall go off like a lamb; wish- mmm mem eee a a