University of Virginia Library

17. EDGAR HUNTLY.
CHAPTER XVI.

Thus was I delivered from my
prison and restored to the enjoyment of
the air and the light. Perhaps the chance
was almost miraculous that led me to this
opening. In any other direction, I might
have involved myself in an inextricable
maze, and rendered my destruction sure:
but what now remained to place me in
absolute security? Beyond the fire I
could see nothing; but since the smoke
rolled rapidly away, it was plain that on
the opposite side the cavern was open
to the air.

I went forward, but my eyes were
fixed upon the fire; presently, in consequence
of changing my station, I perceived
several feet, and the skirts of blankets. I
was somewhat startled at these appearances.
The legs were naked, and scored into
uncouth figures. The mocassins which
lay beside them, and which were adorned
in a grotesque manner, in addition to
other incidents, immediately suggested
the suspicion that they were Indians.
No spectacle was more adapted than this
to excite wonder and alarm. Had some
mysterious power snatched me from the
earth, and cast me, in a moment, into the
heart of the wilderness? Was I still in
the vicinity of my paternal habitation, or
was I thousands of miles distant?

Were these the permanent inhabitants
of this region, or were they wanderers
and robbers? While in the heart of
the mountain I had entertained a vague

belief that I was still within the precincts
of Norwalk. This opinion was
shaken for a moment by the objects
which I now beheld, but it insensibly
returned; yet, how was this opinion to
be reconciled to appearances so strange
and uncouth, and what measure did a due
regard to my safety enjoin me to take?

I now gained a view of four brawny
and terrific figures, stretched upon the
ground. They lay parallel to each other,
on their left sides; in consequence of
which their faces were turned from me.
Between each was an interval where lay
a musket. Their right hands seemed
placed upon the stocks of their guns, as
if to seize them on the first moment of
alarm.

The aperture through which these
objects were seen, was at the back of
the cave, and some feet from the ground.
It was merely large enough to suffer an

human body to pass. It was involved
in profound darkness, and there was no
danger of being suspected or discovered
as long as I maintained silence, and kept
out of vew.

It was easily imagined that these
guests would make but a short sojourn
in this spot. There was reason to suppose
that it was now night, and that after
a short repose, they would start up and
resume their journey. It was my first
design to remain shrowded in this covert
till their departure, and I prepared to
endure imprisonment and thirst somewhat
longer.

Meanwhile my thoughts were busy
in accounting for this spectacle. I need
not tell thee that Norwalk is the termination
of a sterile and narrow tract, which
begins in the Indian country. It forms
a sort of rugged and rocky vein, and
continues upwards of fifty miles. It is

crossed in a few places by narrow and
intricate paths, by which a communication
is maintained between the farms
and settlements on the opposite sides of
the ridge.

During former Indian wars, this
rude surface was sometimes traversed by
the Red-men, and they made, by means
of it, frequent and destructive inroads
into the heart of the English settlements.
During the last war, notwithstanding
the progress of population, and the
multiplied perils of such an expedition,
a band of them had once penetrated
into Norwalk, and lingered long enough
to pillage and murder some of the
neighbouring inhabitants.

I have reason to remember that event.
My father's house was placed on the
verge of this solitude. Eight of these
assassins assailed it at the dead of night.

My parents and an infant child were
murdered in their beds; the house
was pillaged, and then burnt to the
ground. Happily, myself and my two
sisters were abroad upon a visit. The
preceding day had been fixed for our
return to our father's house, but a storm
occurred, which made it dangerous to
cross the river, and by obliging us to
defer our journey, rescued us from captivity
or death.

Most men are haunted by some species
of terror or antipathy, which they
are, for the most part, able to trace to
some incident which befel them in their
early years. You will not be surprized
that the fate of my parents, and the sight
of the body of one of this savage band,
who, in the pursuit that was made after
them, was overtaken and killed, should
produce lasting and terrific images in my
fancy. I never looked upon, or called

up the image of a savage without shuddering.

I knew that, at this time, some hostilities
had been committed on the frontier;
that a long course of injuries and
encroachments had lately exasperated
the Indian tribes; that an implacable
and exterminating war was generally
expected. We imagined ourselves at
an inaccessible distance from the danger,
but I could not but remember
that this persuasion was formerly as
strong as at present, and that an expedition,
which had once succeeded, might
possibly be attempted again. Here was
every token of enmity and bloodshed.
Each prostrate figure was furnished with
a rifled musquet, and a leathern bag tied
round his waist, which was, probably,
stored with powder and ball.

From these reflections, the sense of
my own danger was revived and enforced,

but I likewise ruminated on
the evils which might impend over others.
I should, no doubt, be safe by remaining
in this nook; but might not some means
be pursued to warn others of their
danger? Should they leave this spot,
without notice of their approach being
given to the fearless and pacific tenants
of the neighbouring district, they might
commit, in a few hours, the most horrid
and irreparable devastation.

The alarm could only be diffused in
one way. Could I not escape, unperceived,
and without alarming the sleepers,
fom this cavern? The slumber of
an Indian is broken by the slightest noise;
but if all noise be precluded, it is commonly
profound. It was possible, I
conceived, to leave my present post, to
descend into the cave, and issue forth
without the smallest signal. Their
supine posture assured me that they were

asleep. Sleep usually comes at their
bidding, and if, perchance, they should
be wakeful at an unseasonable moment,
they always sit upon their haunches, and,
leaning their elbows on their knees, consume
the tedious hours in smoking. My
peril would be great. Accidents which
I could not foresee, and over which I
had no command, might occur to awaken
some one at the moment I was passing
the fire. Should I pass in safety, I might
issue forth into a wilderness, of which I
had no knowledge, where I might wander
till I perished with famine, or where my
foot-steps might be noted and pursued,
and overtaken by these implacable foes.
These perils were enormous and imminent;
but I likewise considered that I
might be at no great distance from the
habitations of men, and, that my escape
might rescue them from the most dreadful
calamities, I determined to make
this dangerous experiment without delay.

I came nearer to the aperture, and
had, consequently, a larger view of this
recess. To my unspeakable dismay, I
now caught a glimpse of one, seated at
the fire. His back was turned towards
me so that I could distinctly survey his
gigantic form and fantastic ornaments.

My project was frustrated. This
one was probably commissioned to watch
and to awaken his companions when a
due portion of sleep had been taken.
That he would not be unfaithful or
remiss in the performance of the part
assigned to him was easily predicted. To
pass him without exciting his notice,
and the entrance could not otherwise be
reached, was impossible. Once more I
shrunk back and revolved with hopelessness
and anguish, the necessity to which
I was reduced.

This interval of dreary foreboding did
not last long. Some motion in him that
was seated by the fire attracted my
notice. I looked, and beheld him rise
from his place and go forth from the
cavern. This unexpected incident led
my thoughts into a new channel. Could
not some advantage be taken of his absence?
Could not this opportunity be
seized for making my escape? He had
left his gun and hatchet on the ground.
It was likely, therefore, that he had not
gone far, and would speedily return.
Might not these weapons be seized, and
some provision be thus made against the
danger of meeting him without, or of
being pursued?

Before a resolution could be formed,
a new sound saluted my ear. It was a
deep groan, succeeded by sobs that
seemed struggling for utterance, but

were vehemently counteracted by the
sufferer. This low and bitter lamentation
apparently proceeded from some one
within the cave. It could not be from
one of this swarthy band. It must then
proceed from a captive, whom they
had reserved for torment or servitude,
and who had seized the opportunity
afforded by the absence of him that
watched, to give vent to his despair.

I again thrust my head forward, and
beheld, lying on the ground, apart from
the rest, and bound hand and foot, a
young girl. Her dress was the coarse
russet garb of the country, and bespoke
her to be some farmer's daughter. Her
features denoted the last degree of fear
and anguish, and she moved her limbs in
such a manner as shewed that the ligatures
by which she was confined, produced,
by their tightness, the utmost
degree of pain.

My wishes were now bent not only
to preserve myself, and to frustrate the
future attempts of these savages, but likewise
to relieve this miserable victim.
This could only be done by escaping
from the cavern and returning with seasonable
aid. The sobs of the girl were
likely to rouse the sleepers. My appearance
before her would prompt her to testify
her surprise by some exclamation or
shriek. What could hence be predicted
but that the band would start on their
feet, and level their unerring pieces at
my head!

I know not why I was insensible to
these dangers. My thirst was rendered
by these delays intolerable. It took from
me, in some degree, the power of deliberation.
The murmurs which had drawn
me hither continued still to be heard.
Some torrent or cascade could not be far
distant from the entrance of the cavern,

and it seemed as if one draught of clear
water was a luxury cheaply purchased
by death itself. This, in addition to considerations
more disinterested, and which
I have already mentioned, impelled me
forward.

The girl's cheek rested on the hard
rock, and her eyes were dim with tears.
As they were turned towards me, however,
I hoped that my movements would
be noticed by her gradually and without
abruptness. This expectation was fulfilled.
I had not advanced many steps
before she discovered me. This moment
was critical beyond all others in the
course of my existence. My life was
suspended, as it were, by a spider's
thread. All rested on the effect which
this discovery should make upon this
feeble victim.

I was watchful of the first movement
of her eye, which should indicate a consciousness

of my presence. I laboured,
by gestures and looks, to deter her from
betraying her emotion. My attention
was, at the same time, fixed upon the
sleepers, and an anxious glance was cast
towards the quarter whence the watchful
savage might appear.

I stooped and seized the musquet
and hatchet. The space beyond the fire
was, as I expected, open to the air. I
issued forth with trembling steps. The
sensations inspired by the dangers which
environed me, added to my recent horrors,
and the influence of the moon,
which had now gained the zenith, and
whose lustre dazzled my long benighted
senses, cannot be adequately described.

For a minute I was unable to distinguish
objects. This confusion was speedily
corrected, and I found myself on the
verge of a steep. Craggy eminences arose
on all sides. On the left hand was a

space that offered some footing, and
hither I turned. A torrent was below
me, and this path appeared to lead to it.
It quickly appeared in sight, and all
foreign cares were, for a time, suspended.

This water fell from the upper regions
of the hill, upon a flat projecture which
was continued on either side, and on part
of which I was now standing. The path
was bounded on the left by an inaccessible
wall, and on the right terminated at
the distance of two or three feet from
the wall, in a precipice. The water was
eight or ten paces distant, and no impediment
seemed likely to rise between us.
I rushed forward with speed.

My progress was quickly checked.
Close to the falling water, seated on the
edge, his back supported by the rock, and
his legs hanging over the precipice, I
now beheld the savage who left the cave

before me. The noise of the cascade
and the improbability of interruption, at
least from this quarter, had made him
inattentive to my motions.

I paused. Along this verge lay the
only road by which I could reach the
water, and by which I could escape. The
passage was completely occupied by this
antagonist. To advance towards him, or
to remain where I was, would produce
the same effect. I should, in either case,
be detected. He was unarmed; but his
outcries would instantly summon his
companions to his aid. I could not hope
to overpower him, and pass him in defiance
of his opposition. But if this were
effected, pursuit would be instantly commenced.
I was unacquainted with the
way. The way was unquestionably difficult.
My strength was nearly annihilated:
I should be overtaken in a moment,

or their deficiency in speed would be supplied
by the accuracy of their aim. Their
bullets, at least, would reach me.

There was one method of removing
this impediment. The piece which I held
in my hand was cocked. There could
be no doubt that it was loaded. A precaution
of this kind would never be
omitted by a warrior of this hue. At a
greater distance than this, I should not
fear to reach the mark. Should I not
discharge it, and, at the same moment,
rush forward to secure the road which my
adversary's death would open to me?

Perhaps you will conceive a purpose
like this to have argued a sanguinary
and murderous disposition. Let it be
remembered, however, that I entertained
no doubts about the hostile designs of
these men. This was sufficiently indicated
by their arms, their guise, and the
captive who attended them. Let the fate

of my parents be, likewise, remembered.
I was not certain but that these very
men were the assassins of my family,
and were those who had reduced me and
my sisters to the condition of orphans
and dependants. No words can describe
the torments of my thirst. Relief to
these torments, and safety to my life,
were within view. How could I hesitate?

Yet I did hesitate. My aversion to
bloodshed was not to be subdued but by
the direst necessity. I knew, indeed,
that the discharge of a musquet would
only alarm the enemies which remained
behind; but I had another and a better
weapon in my grasp. I could rive the
head of my adversary, and cast him
headlong, without any noise which
should be heard, into the cavern.

Still I was willing to withdraw, to
re-enter the cave, and take shelter in the

darksome recesses from which I had
emerged. Here I might remain, unsuspected,
till these detested guests should
depart. The hazards attending my reentrance
were to be boldly encountered,
and the torments of unsatisfied thirst
were to be patiently endured, rather
than imbrue my hands in the blood of
my fellow men. But this expedient
would be ineffectual if my retreat should
be observed by this savage. Of that I
was bound to be incontestibly assured.
I retreated, therefore, but kept my eye
fixed at the same time upon the enemy.

Some ill fate decreed that I should
not retreat unobserved. Scarcely had I
withdrawn three paces when he started
from his seat, and, turning towards me,
walked with a quick pace. The shadow
of the rock, and the improbability of
meeting an enemy here, concealed me
for a moment from his observation. I

stood still. The slightest motion would
have attracted his notice. At present,
the narrow space engaged all his vigilance.
Cautious foot-steps, and attention
to the path, were indispensable to his
safety. The respite was momentary, and
I employed it in my own defence.

How otherwise could I act? The danger
that impended aimed at nothing less
than my life. To take the life of another
was the only method of averting it. The
means were in my hand, and they were
used. In an extremity like this, my
muscles would have acted almost in defiance
of my will.

The stroke was quick as lightning,
and the wound mortal and deep. He
had not time to descry the author of his
fate; but, sinking on the path, expired
without a groan. The hatchet buried

itself in his breast, and rolled with him
to the bottom of the precipice.

Never before had I taken the life of
an human creature. On this head, I
had, indeed, entertained somewhat of
religious scruples. These scruples did
not forbid me to defend myself, but they
made me cautious and reluctant to decide.
Though they could not withhold
my hand, when urged by a necessity
like this, they were sufficient to make
me look back upon the deed with remorse
and dismay.

I did not escape all compunction in
the present instance, but the tumult of
my feelings was quickly allayed. To
quench my thirst was a consideration by
which all others were supplanted. I
approached the torrent, and not only
drank copiously, but laved my head,
neck, and arms, in this delicious element.