University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XVIII.

Think not that I relate these things with exultation or
tranquillity. All my education and the habits of my life
tended to unfit me for a contest and a scene like this. But
I was not governed by the soul which usually regulates my
conduct. I had imbibed from the unparalleled events
which had lately happened, a spirit vengeful, unrelenting,
and ferocious.

There was now an interval for flight. Throwing my
weapons away, I might gain the thicket in a moment. I had
no ammunition, nor would time be afforded me to reload
my piece. My antagonist would render my poinard and
my speed of no use to me. Should he miss me as I fled,
the girl would remain to expiate, by her agonies and death,
the fate of his companions.

These thoughts passed through my mind in a shorter time
than is demanded to express them. They yielded to an
expedient suggested by the sight of the gun that had been
raised to destroy the girl, and which now lay upon the
ground. I am not large of bone, but am not deficient in
agility and strength. All that remained to me of these
qualities was now exerted; and dropping my own piece, I
leaped upon the bank, and flew to seize my prize.

It was not till I snatched it from the ground, that the
propriety of regaining my former post, rushed upon my apprehension.
He that was still posted in the hovel would
mark me through the seams of the wall, and render my
destruction sure. I once more ran towards the bank, with
the intention to throw myself below it. All this was performed
in an instant; but my vigilant foe was aware of his
advantage, and fired through an opening between the logs.
The bullet grazed my cheek, and produced a benumbing
sensation that made me instantly fall to the earth. Though
bereaved of strength, and fraught with the belief that I had
received a mortal wound, my caution was not remitted. I
loosened not my grasp of the gun, and the posture into
which I accidentally fell enabled me to keep an eye upon
the house and a hand upon the trigger. Perceiving my
condition, the savage rushed from his covert in order to
complete his work; but at three steps from the threshold,
he received my bullet in his breast. The uplifted tomahawk
fell from his hand, and, uttering a loud shriek, he
fell upon the body of his companion. His cries struck
upon my heart, and I wished that his better fortune had
cast this evil from him upon me.

Thus I have told thee a bloody and disastrous tale.
When thou reflectest on the mildness of my habits, my antipathy
to scenes of violence and bloodshed, my unacquaintance
with the use of fire-arms, and the motives of a
soldier, thou wilt scarcely allow credit to my story. That
one rushing into these dangers, unfurnished with stratagems
or weapons, disheartened and enfeebled by hardships and
pain, should subdue four antagonists, trained from their infancy
to the artifices and exertions of Indian warfare,
will seem the vision of fancy, rather than the lesson of
truth.

I lifted my head from the ground and pondered upon
this scene. The magnitude of this exploit made me question
its reality. By attending to my own sensations, I discovered
that I had received no wound, or at least, none of
which there was reason to complain. The blood flowed
plentifully from my cheek, but the injury was superficial.
It was otherwise with my antagonists. The last that had
fallen now ceased to groan. Their huge limbs, inured to

combat and war-worn, were useless to their own defence,
and to the injury of others.

The destruction that I witnessed was vast. Three beings,
full of energy and heroism, endowed with minds strenuous
and lofty, poured out their lives before me. I was the instrument
of their destruction. This scene of carnage and
blood was laid by me. To this havoc and horror was I
led by such rapid footsteps!

My anguish was mingled with astonishment. In spite of
the force and uniformity with which my senses were impressed
by external objects, the transition I had undergone
was so wild and inexplicable; all that I had performed; all
that I had witnessed since my egress from the pit, were so
contradictory to precedent events, that I still clung to the
belief that my thoughts were confused by delirium. From
these reveries I was at length recalled by the groans of the
girl, who lay near me on the ground.

I went to her and endeavored to console her. I found
that while lying in the bed, she had received a blow upon
the side, which was still productive of acute pain. She was
unable to rise or to walk, and it was plain that one or more
of her ribs had been fractured by the blow.

I knew not what means to devise for our mutual relief.
It was possible that the nearest dwelling was many leagues
distant. I knew not in what direction to go in order to
find it, and my strength would not suffice to carry my
wounded companion thither in my arms. There was no expedient
but to remain in this field of blood till the morning.

I had scarcely formed this resolution before the report
of a musket was heard at a small distance. At the same
moment, I distinctly heard the whistling of a bullet near me.
I now remembered that of the five Indians whom I saw in
the cavern, I was acquainted with the destiny only of four.
The fifth might be still alive, and fortune might reserve for
him the task of avenging his companions. His steps might
now be tending hither in search of them.

The musket belonging to him who was shot upon the
threshold, was still charged. It was discreet to make all
the provision in my power against danger. I possessed
myself of this gun, and seating myself on the ground,

looked carefully on all sides, to descry the approach of the
enemy. I listened with breathless eagerness.

Presently voices were heard. They ascended from that
part of the thicket from which my view was intercepted by
the cottage. These voices had something in them that
bespoke them to belong to friends and countrymen. As
yet I was unable to distinguish words.

Presently my eye was attracted to one quarter, by a
sound as of feet trampling down bushes. Several heads
were seen moving in succession, and at length, the whole
person was conspicuous. One after another leaped over a
kind of mound which bordered the field, and made towards
the spot where I sat. This band was composed of ten or
twelve persons, with each a gun upon his shoulder. Their
guise, the moment it was perceived, dissipated all my apprehensions.

They came within the distance of a few paces before
they discovered me. One stopped, and bespeaking the
attention of his followers, called to know who was there? I
answered that I was a friend, who entreated their assistance.
I shall not paint their astonishment when, on coming nearer,
they beheld me surrounded by the arms and dead bodies
of my enemies.

I sat upon the ground, supporting my head with my left
hand, and resting on my knee the stock of a heavy musket.
My countenance was wan and haggard, my neck and bosom
were dyed in blood, and my limbs, almost stripped by the
brambles of their slender covering, were lacerated by a
thousand wounds. Three savages, two of whom were
steeped in gore, lay at a small distance, with the traces of
recent life on their visages. Hard by was the girl, venting
her anguish in the deepest groans, and entreating relief from
the new comers.

One of the company, on approaching the girl, betrayed
the utmost perturbation. "Good God!" he cried, "is this
a dream? Can it be you? Speak!"

"Ah, my father! my father!" answered she, "it is I
indeed."

The company, attracted by this dialogue, crowded round
the girl, whom her father, clasping in his arms, lifted from
the ground, and pressed, in a transport of joy to his breast.

This delight was succeeded by solicitude respecting her
condition. She could only answer his inquiries by complaining
that her side was bruised to pieces. How came
you here?—Who hurt you?—Where did the Indians carry
you?—were questions to which she could make no reply
but by sobs and plaints.

My own calamities were forgotten in contemplating the
fondness and compassion of the man for his child. I derived
new joy from reflecting that I had not abandoned her,
and that she owed her preservation to my efforts. The
inquiries which the girl was unable to answer, were now put
to me. Every one interrogated who I was, whence I had
come, and what had given rise to this bloody contest.

I was not willing to expatiate on my story. The spirit
which had hitherto sustained me, began now to subside.
My strength ebbed away with my blood. Tremors, lassitude,
and deadly cold, invaded me, and I fainted on the
ground.

Such is the capricious constitution of the human mind.
While dangers were at hand, while my life was to be preserved
only by zeal, and vigilance, and courage, I was not
wanting to myself. Had my perils continued, or even multiplied,
no doubt my energies would have kept equal pace
with them, but the moment that I was encompassed by protectors,
and placed in security, I grew powerless and faint.
My weakness was proportioned to the duration and intensity
of my previous efforts, and the swoon into which I now
sunk, was, no doubt, mistaken by the spectators, for death.

On recovering from this swoon, my sensations were not
unlike those which I had experienced on awaking in the pit.
For a moment a mistiness involved every object, and I was
able to distinguish nothing. My sight, by rapid degrees,
was restored, my painful dizziness was banished, and I surveyed
the scene before me with anxiety and wonder.

I found myself stretched upon the ground. I perceived
the cottage and the neighboring thicket, illuminated by a declining
moon. My head rested upon something, which, on
turning to examine, I found to be one of the slain Indians.
The other two remained upon the earth, at a small distance,
and in the attitudes in which they had fallen. Their arms,

the wounded girl, and the troop who were near me when I
fainted, were gone.

My head had reposed upon the breast of him whom I
had shot in this part of his body. The blood had ceased
to ooze from the wound, but my dishevelled locks were
matted and steeped in that gore which had overflowed and
choked up the orifice. I started from this detestable pillow,
and regained my feet.

I did not suddenly recall what had lately passed, or comprehend
the nature of my situation. At length, however,
late events were recollected.

That I should be abandoned in this forlorn state by these
men, seemed to argue a degree of cowardice or cruelty,
of which I should have thought them incapable. Presently,
however, I reflected that appearances might have easily
misled them into a belief of my death. On this supposition,
to have carried me away, or to have staid beside me,
would be useless. Other enemies might be abroad, or their
families, now that their fears were somewhat tranquillized,
might require their presence and protection.

I went into the cottage. The fire still burned, and
afforded me a genial warmth. I sat before it and began to
ruminate on the state to which I was reduced, and on the
measures I should next pursue. Day-light could not be very
distant. Should I remain in this hovel till the morning, or
immediately resume my journey? I was feeble, indeed, but
by remaining here should I not increase my feebleness?
The sooner I should gain some human habitation the better;
whereas watchfulness and hunger would render me, at each
minute, less able to proceed than on the former.

This spot might be visited on the next day; but this was
involved in uncertainty. The visitants, should any come,
would come merely to examine and bury the dead, and
bring with them neither the clothing nor the food which my
necessities demanded. The road was sufficiently discernible,
and would, unavoidably, conduct me to some dwelling.
I determined, therefore, to set out without delay. Even in
this state I was not unmindful that my safety might require
the precaution of being armed. Besides the fusil, which
had been given me by Sarsefield, and which I had so unexpectedly
recovered, had lost none of its value in my eyes.

I hoped that it had escaped the search of the troop who
had been here and still lay below the bank, in the spot
where I had dropped it.

In this hope I was not deceived. It was found. I possessed
myself of the powder and shot belonging to one of
the savages, and loaded it. Thus equipped for defence, I
regained the road, and proceeded, with alacrity, on my
way. For the wound in my cheek, nature had provided
a styptic, but the soreness was extreme, and I thought of
no remedy but water, with which I might wash away the
blood. My thirst likewise incommoded me, and I looked
with eagerness for the traces of a spring. In a soil like that
of the wilderness around me, nothing was less to be expected
than to light upon water. In this respect, however, my
destiny was propitious. I quickly perceived water in the
ruts. It trickled hither from the thicket on one side, and,
pursuing it among the bushes, I reached the bubbling source.
Though scanty and brackish, it afforded me unspeakable
refreshment.

Thou wilt think, perhaps, that my perils were now at an
end; that the blood I had already shed was sufficient for
my safety. I fervently hoped that no new exigence would
occur, compelling me to use the arms that I bore in my own
defence. I formed a sort of resolution to shun the contest
with a new enemy, almost at the expense of my own life.
I was satiated and gorged with slaughter, and thought upon
a new act of destruction with abhorrence and loathing.

But though I dreaded to encounter a new enemy, I was
sensible that an enemy might possibly be at hand. I had
moved forward with caution, and my sight and hearing were
attentive to the slightest tokens. Other troops, besides that
which I encountered, might be hovering near, and of that
troop, I remembered that one at least had survived.

The gratification which the spring had afforded me was
so great, that I was in no haste to depart. I lay upon a
rock, which chanced to be shaded by a tree behind me.
From this post I could overlook the road to some distance,
and, at the same time, be shaded from the observation of
others.

My eye was now caught by movements which appeared
like those of a beast. In different circumstances, I should

have instantly supposed it to be a wolf, or panther, or bear.
Now my suspicions were alive on a different account, and
my startled fancy figured to itself nothing but a human
adversary.

A thicket was on either side of the road. That opposite
to my station was discontinued at a small distance by
the cultivated field. The road continued along this field,
bounded by the thicket on the one side, and the open space
on the other. To this space the being who was now descried,
was cautiously approaching.

He moved upon all fours, and presently came near
enough to be distinguished. His disfigured limbs, pendants
from his ears and nose, and his shorn locks, were indubitable
indications of a savage. Occasionally he reared himself
above the bushes, and scanned, with suspicious vigilance,
the cottage and the space surrounding it. Then he stooped,
and crept along as before.

I was at no loss to interpret these appearances. This
was my surviving enemy. He was unacquainted with the
fate of his associates, and was now approaching the theatre
of carnage, to ascertain their fate.

Once more was the advantage afforded me. From this
spot might unerring aim be taken, and the last of this hostile
troop be made to share the fate of the rest. Should I fire
or suffer him to pass in safety?

My abhorrence of bloodshed was not abated. But I had
not foreseen this occurrence. My success hitherto had
seemed to depend upon a combination of fortunate incidents,
which could not be expected again to take place; but
now was I invested with the same power. The mark
was near; nothing obstructed or delayed; I incurred no
danger, and the event was certain.

Why should he be suffered to live? He came hither to
murder and despoil my friends; this work he has, no doubt,
performed. Nay, has he not borne his part in the destruction
of my uncle and my sisters? He will live only to
pursue the same sanguinary trade; to drink the blood and
exult in the laments of his unhappy foes, and of my own
brethren. Fate has reserved him for a bloody and violent

death. For how long a time soever it may be deferred,
it is thus that his career will inevitably terminate.

Should he be spared, he will still roam in the wilderness,
and I may again be fated to encounter him. Then our
mutual situation may be widely different, and the advantage
I now possess may be his.

While hastily revolving these thoughts I was thoroughly
aware that one event might take place which would render
all deliberation useless. Should he spy me where I lay,
my fluctuations must end. My safety would indispensably
require me to shoot. This persuasion made me keep a
steadfast eye upon his motions, and be prepared to anticipate
his assault.

It now most seasonably occurred to me that one essential
duty remained to be performed. One operation, without
which fire arms are useless, had been unaccountably omitted.
My piece was uncocked. I did not reflect that in moving
the spring, a sound would necessarily be produced, sufficient
to alarm him. But I knew that the chances of escaping
his notice, should I be perfectly mute and still, were extremely
slender, and that, in such a case, his movements
would be quicker than the light; it behoved me, therefore,
to repair my omission.

The sound struck him with alarm. He turned and
darted at me an inquiring glance. I saw that forbearance
was no longer in my power; but my heart sunk while I complied
with what may surely be deemed an indispensable
necessity. This faltering, perhaps, it was, that made me
swerve somewhat from the fatal line. He was disabled by
the wound, but not killed.

He lost all power of resistance, and was, therefore, no
longer to be dreaded. He rolled upon the ground, uttering
doleful shrieks, and throwing his limbs into those contortions
which bespeak the keenest agonies to which ill-fated man
is subject. Horror, and compassion, and remorse were
mingled into one sentiment, and took possession of my heart.
To shut out this spectacle, I withdrew from the spot, but I
stopped before I had moved beyond hearing of his cries.

The impulse that drove me from the scene was pusillanimous
and cowardly. The past, however deplorable, could
not be recalled; but could not I afford some relief to this

wretch? Could not I, at least, bring his pangs to a speedy
close? Thus he might continue, writhing and calling upon
death for hours. Why should his miseries be uselessly
prolonged?

There was but one way to end them. To kill him outright,
was the dictate of compassion and of duty. I hastily
returned, and once more levelled my piece at his head.
It was a loathsome obligation, and was performed with
unconquerable reluctance. Thus to assault and to mangle
the body of an enemy, already prostrate and powerless, was
an act worthy of abhorrence; yet it was, in this case, prescribed
by pity.

My faltering hand rendered this second bullet ineffectual.
One expedient, still more detestable, remained. Having
gone thus far, it would have been inhuman to stop short.
His heart might easily be pierced by the bayonet, and his
struggles would cease.

This task of cruel lenity was at length finished. I dropped
the weapon and threw myself on the ground, overpowered
by the horrors of this scene. Such are the deeds
which perverse nature compels thousands of rational beings
to perform and to witness! Such is the spectacle, endlessly
prolonged and diversified, which is exhibited in every field
of battle; of which, habit and example, the temptations of
gain, and the illusions of honor, will make us, not reluctant
or indifferent, but zealous and delighted actors and beholders!

Thus, by a series of events, impossible to be computed
or foreseen, was the destruction of a band, selected from
their fellows for an arduous enterprise, distinguished by
prowess and skill, and equally armed against surprise and
force, completed by the hand of a boy, uninured to hostility,
unprovided with arms, precipitate and timorous! I have
noted men who seemed born for no end but by their achievements
to belie experience, and bafile foresight, and outstrip
belief. Would to God that I had not deserved to be numbered
among these! But what power was it that called
me from the sleep of death, just in time to escape the merciless
knife of this enemy? Had my swoon continued till
he had reached the spot, he would have effectuated my
death by new wounds and torn away the skin from my

brows. Such are the subtile threads on which hang the
fate of man and of the universe!

While engaged in these reflections, I perceived that the
moonlight had begun to fade before that of the sun. A
dusky and reddish hue spread itself over the east. Cheered
by this appearance, I once more resumed my feet and
the road. I left the savage where he lay, but made prize
of his tomahawk. I had left my own in the cavern; and
this weapon added little to my burden. Prompted by some
freak of fancy, I stuck his musket in the ground, and left
it standing upright in the middle of the road.