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12. CHAPTER XII.

Dudley's first movement was to place Ellen in a
place of safety, and then to find secure shelter for himself
and companions, whence they could repel the advance
of the enemy. All this was but the work of an
instant. The crippled vessel had continued to advance
with no slight velocity, for she had still two effective
oars; but her consort had taken the land, and for a
while had threatened to make at least a simultaneous
landing with the gondola. But when her crew had
perceived this to be impracticable, they hastened to retire
beyond rifle shot, divining with ready sagacity the

designs of the other party. They were, however, too
late to avoid the effect of one leaden messenger from
the weapon of the active sergeant; a sharp yell and a
sudden commotion in the boat proclaimed its success.
Three more shots were instantly fired, but with no observable
result. It was far, however, from being the
design of the enemy to abandon the pursuit. They
felt rather like the sportsman, who, having cornered
his game, deliberates only upon the easiest means of
dispatching it. At a safe distance the vessels came together
in conference, which resulted in one of them
making a detour about the island, and taking up a position
opposite to the other extremity. This movement
made it necessary for Dudley to divide his small force;
yet so minute was the territory to be defended, that
the two divisions of the garrison were not beyond each
other's call. It was now fully expected that the besiegers
would attempt a simultaneous landing on the opposite
sides—a course which ordinary courage would
certainly have prompted; but they evidently designed
some less dangerous expedient. To and fro, like sharks
waiting for their prey, through the long and tedious
hours of the day, the canoes glided leisurely about,
maintaining a close watch upon every part of the coast.
It was then, doubtless, for the night that the attack was
designed, and it was with sad forebodings that the island
prisoners watched the sun beginning to decline
from the meridian. But they had not been idle. The
moment they became convinced that there was no immediate
danger, a consultation was again held to devise
means of relief; for, as the enemy was discernable
from any part of the coast, and the defenders could be
easily summoned to the point of attack, they were no
longer confined to any one position. But deliberation
seemed of no avail. The calm and unclouded sky fore-told
a still and star-light night, and one that would render
a secret embarkation and flight nearly impossible;
and although the same causes would make the landing
somewhat hazardous, there could be no longer any
doubt that they had determined upon taking the risk.
There seemed, indeed, nothing to be done, except to
await the invasion and sell their lives as dearly as possible.
Although compelled to contemplate this fearful
issue of all his efforts, Dudley still strove to encourage
Ellen with hopes that he himself could no longer entertain.
But new events claimed attention. The younger
Indian had long been missing from the council, and
on search being made, he was found seated beside a
pile of bark, which had been freshly stripped from the
birch trees around him, while a quantity of sea weed
such as is used by the Indians for thread or cord, was
also collected at his side. It was with no small alarm
that Dudley and Rogers viewed these preparations,
giving indications that their allies were about to desert
them. The southern shore was but about two-thirds of
a mile distant, and a very small canoe might possibly
be constructed before night, capable of transporting one
or two persons across, before they could be overtaken
from the more remote starting points of the enemy.
Dudley hastened to interrogate the Indian as to his designs.

“The Lynx is not a rat,” was the calm reply, “to be
beaten to death in a trap.”

“The Lynx is a coward to desert his friends,” rejoined
Dudley, angrily. “What does Wongah say?”

“Wongah will stay,” was the quick reply.

The Lieutenant grasped the hand of the Indian with
emotion, and by that gesture, and by a grateful look

alone, expressed his thanks. Scorning to expostulate
with the other, he was about to turn contemptuously
away, when the low, soft voice of the youth was heard.
Dudley turned to listen, but the words were addressed
to Wongah, and being in the Oneida tongue, were too
rapidly uttered to admit of his comprehending the
meaning. He saw, however, that a smile of merriment
was on the face of the young Indian, and that his whole
countenance was lit up with a look of ingenuousness
and fidelity that could not be mistaken. Wongah
slowly repeated the substance of the words to Dudley
in broken English, and the latter, with extended hands
rushed to his young ally, and having begged pardon
for his late unworthy suspicions, sat down to assist him
at his task. Wongah also lent his aid, and the work
went rapidly forward. The Lynx, like many of his
race, had a spice of humor in his composition, that no
danger could wholly suppress.