University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XX.

I likewise burned with impatience to know the condition
of my family, to dissipate at once their tormenting doubts
and my own, with regard to our mutual safety. The evil
that I feared had befallen them was too enormous to allow
me to repose in suspense, and my restlessness and ominous
forebodings would be more intolerable than any hardship or
toils to which I could possibly be subjected during this journey.

I was much refreshed and invigorated by the food that I
had taken, and by the rest of an hour. With this stock of
recruited force I determined to scale the hill. After receiving
minute directions, and returning many thanks for my
hospitable entertainment, I set out.

The path was indeed intricate, and deliberate attention
was obliged to be exerted in order to preserve it. Hence
my progress was slower than I wished. The first impulse
was to fix my eye upon the summit, and to leap from crag
to crag till I reached it, but this my experience had taught
me was impracticable. It was only by winding through
gulleys, and coasting precipices and bestriding chasms, that I
could hope finally to gain the top, and I was assured that by
one way only was it possible to accomplish even this.

An hour was spent in struggling with impediments, and I
seemed to have gained no way. Hence a doubt was suggested
whether I had not missed the true road. In this
doubt I was confirmed by the difficulties which now grew
up before me. The brooks, the angles, and the hollows,
which my hostess had described, were not to be seen. Instead
of these, deeper dells, more headlong torrents, and
wider gaping rifts were incessantly encountered.

To return was as hopeless as to proceed. I consoled
myself with thinking that the survey which my informant
had made of the hill-side, might prove inaccurate, and that
in spite of her predictions, the heights might be reached by
other means than by those pointed out by her. I will not
enumerate my toilsome expedients, my frequent disappointments
and my desperate exertions. Suffice it to say that I

gained the upper space, not till the sun had dipped beneath
the horizon.

My satisfaction at accomplishing thus much was not small,
and I hied, with renovated spirits, to the opposite brow.
This proved to be a steep that could not he descended.
The river flowed at its foot. The opposite bank was five
hundred yards distant, and was equally towering and steep
as that on which I stood. Appearances were adapted to
persuade you that these rocks had formerly joined, but by
some mighty effort of nature, had been severed, that the
stream might find way through the chasm. The channel,
however, was encumbered with asperities over which the
river fretted and foamed with thundering impetuosity.

I pondered for a while on these stupendous scenes. They
ravished my attention from considerations that related to
myself; but this interval was short, and I began to measure
the descent, in order to ascertain the practicability of treading
it. My survey terminated in bitter disappointment. I
turned my eye successively eastward and westward. Solebury
lay in the former direction, and thither I desired to go.
I kept along the verge in this direction, till I reached an impassable
rift. Beyond this I saw that the steep grew lower,
but it was impossible to proceed farther. Higher up the
descent might be practicable, and though more distant from
Solebury, it was better to reach the road, even at that distance,
than never to reach it.

Changing my course, therefore, I explored the spaces
above. The night was rapidly advancing, the grey clouds
gathered in the southeast, and a chilling blast, the usual
attendant of a night in October, began to whistle among the
pigmy cedars that scantily grew upon these heights. My
progress would quickly be arrested by darkness, and it behoved
me to provide some place of shelter and repose. No
recess, better than a hollow in the rock, presented itself to
my anxious scrutiny.

Meanwhile I would not dismiss the hope of reaching the
road, which I saw some hundred feet below, winding along
the edge of the river, before daylight should utterly fail.
Speedily these hopes derived new vigor from meeting a
ledge that irregularly declined from the brow of the hill. It

was wide enought to allow of cautious footing. On a similar
stratum, or ledge, projecting still further from the body
of the hill, and close to the surface of the river, was the
road. This stratum ascended from the level of the stream,
while that on which I trod rapidly descended. I hoped
that they would speedily be blended, or at least approach so
near as to allow me to leap from one to the other without
enormous hazard.

This fond expectation was frustrated. Presently I perceived
that the ledge below began to descend, while that
above began to tend upward, and was quickly terminated
by the uppermost surface of the cliff. Here it was needful
to pause. I looked over the brink and considered whether
I might not leap from my present station, without endangering
my limbs. The road into which I should fall was a
rocky pavement far from being smooth. The descent could
not be less than forty or fifty feet. Such an attempt was,
to the last degree, hazardous, but was it not better to risk
my life by leaping from this eminence, than to remain and
perish on the top of this inhospitable mountain. The toils
which I had endured, in reaching this height appeared to my
panic struck fancy, less easy to be borne again than death.

I know not but that I should have finally resolved to leap,
had not different views been suggested by observing that
the outer edge of the road was, in like manner, the brow of
a steep which terminated in the river. The surface of the
road, was twelve or fifteen feet above the level of the
stream, which, in this spot was still and smooth. Hence I
inferred that the water was not of inconsiderable depth. To
fall upon rocky points was, indeed, dangerous, but to plunge
into water of sufficient depth, even from a height greater than
than that at which I now stood, especially to one to whom
habit had rendered water almost as congenial an element as
air, was scarcely attended with inconvenience. This expedient
was easy and safe. Twenty yards from this spot, the
channel was shallow, and to gain the road from the stream,
was no difficult exploit.

Some disadvantages, however, attended this scheme.
The water was smooth, but this might arise from some other
cause than its depth. My gun, likewise, must be left behind
me, and that was a loss to which I felt invincible repugnance.

To let it fall upon the road, would put it in my
power to retrieve the possession, but it was likely to be irreparably
injured by the fall.

While musing upon this expedient, and weighing injuries
with benefits, the night closed upon me. I now considered
that should I emerge in safety from the stream, I should
have many miles to travel before I could reach a house.
My clothes meanwhile would be loaded with wet. I should
be heart-pierced by the icy blast that now blew, and my
wounds and bruises would be chafed into insupportable
pain.

I reasoned likewise on the folly of impatience and the necessity
of repose. By thus long continuance in one posture,
my sinews began to stiffen, and my reluctance to make
new exertions to increase. My brows were heavy, and I
felt an irresistible propensity to sleep. I concluded to seek
some shelter, and resign myself, my painful recollections,
and my mournful presages to sweet forgetfulness. For this
end, I once more ascended to the surface of the cliff. I
dragged my weary feet forward, till I found somewhat that
promised me the shelter that I sought.

A cluster of cedars appeared, whose branches overarched
a space that might be called a bower. It was a slight cavity,
whose flooring was composed of loose stones and a few
faded leaves blown from a distance, and finding a temporary
lodgment here. On one side was a rock, forming a wall
rugged and projecting above. At the bottom of the rock was
a rift, somewhat resembling a coffin in shape, and not much
larger in dimensions. This rift terminated on the opposite
side of the rock, in an opening that was too small for the body
of a man to pass. The distance between each entrance
was twice the length of a man.

This bower was open to the southeast whence the gale
now blew. It therefore imperfectly afforded the shelter of
which I stood in need; but it was the best that the place and
the time afforded. To stop the smaller entrance of the
cavity with a stone, and to heap before the other, branches
lopped from the trees with my hatchet, might somewhat contribute
to my comfort.

This was done, and thrusting myself into this recess, as
far as I was able, I prepared for repose. It might have been

reasonably suspected to be the den of rattlesnakes or panthers;
but my late contention with superior dangers and
more formidable enemies made me reckless of these, but
another inconvenience remained. In spite of my precautions,
my motionless posture and slender covering exposed
me so much to the cold that I could not sleep.

The air appeared to have suddenly assumed the temperature
of midwinter. In a short time, my extremities were
benumbed, and my limbs shivered and ached as if I had
been seized by an ague. My bed likewise was dank and
uneven, and the posture I was obliged to assume, unnatural
and painful. It was evident that my purpose could not be
answered by remaining here.

I, therefore, crept forth, and began to reflect upon the
possibility of continuing my journey. Motion was the only
thing that could keep me from freezing, and my frame was
in that state which allowed me to take no repose in the absence
of warmth; since warmth was indispensable. It
now occurred to me to ask whether it were not possible to
kindle a fire.

Sticks and leaves were at hand. My hatchet and a pebble
would enable me to extract a spark. From this, by
suitable care and perseverance, I might finally procure sufficient
fire to give me comfort and ease, and even enable me
to sleep. This boon was delicious, and I felt as if I were
unable to support a longer deprivation of it.

I proceeded to execute this scheme. I took the driest
leaves, and endeavored to use them as tinder, but the driest
leaves were moistened by the dews. They were only to be
found in the hollows, in some of which were pools of water
and others were dank. I was not speedily discouraged, but
my repeated attempts failed, and I was finally compelled to
relinquish this expedient.

All that now remained was to wander forth and keep myself
in motion till the morning. The night was likely to
prove tempestuous and long. The gale seemed freighted
with ice, and acted upon my body like the points of a thousand
needles. There was no remedy, and I mustered my
patience to endure it.

I returned again, to the brow of the hill. I ranged along
it till I reached a place where the descent was perpendicular,

and, in consequence of affording no sustenance to trees
or bushes, was nearly smooth and bare. There was no road
to be seen, and this circumstance, added to the sounds
which the rippling current produced, afforded me some
knowledge of my situation.

The ledge, along which the road was conducted, disappeared
near this spot. The opposite sides of the chasm
through which flowed the river, approached nearer to each
other, in the form of jutting promontories. I now stood
upon the verge of that on the northern side. The water
flowed at the foot, but, for the space of ten or twelve feet
from the rock, was so shallow as to permit the traveller and
his horse to wade through it, and thus to regain the road
which the receding precipice had allowed to be continued
on the farther side.

I knew the nature and dimensions of this ford. I knew
that, at a few yards from the rock, the channel was of great
depth. To leap into it, in this place, was a less dangerous
exploit, than at the spot where I had formerly been tempted
to leap. There I was unacquainted with the depth, but here
I knew it to be considerable. Still there was some ground
of hesitation and fear. My present station was loftier, and
how deeply I might sink into this gulph, how far the fall and
the concussion would bereave me of my presence of mind,
I could not determine. This hesitation vanished, and placing
my tomahawk and fusil upon the ground, I prepared to
leap.

This purpose was suspended, in the moment of its execution,
by a faint sound, heard from the quarter whence I
had come. It was the warning of men, but had nothing
in common with those which I had been accustomed to
hear. It was not the howling of a wolf or the yelling of a
panther. These had often been overheard by night during
my last year's excursion to the lakes. My fears whispered
that this was the vociferation of a savage.

I was unacquainted with the number of the enemies who
had adventured into this district. Whether those whom I
had encountered at Deb's hut were of that band whom I
had met with in the cavern, was merely a topic of conjecture.
There might be a half score of troops, equally numerous,

spread over the wilderness, and the signal I had just heard
might betoken the approach of one of these. Yet by what
means they should gain this nook, and what prey they expected
to discover, were not easily conceived.

The sounds, somewhat diversified, nearer and rising from
different quarters, were again heard. My doubts and
apprehensions were increased. What expedient to adopt
for my own safety, was a subject of rapid meditation.
Whether to remain stretched upon the ground or to rise
and go forward. Was it likely the enemy would coast along
the edge of the steep? Would they ramble hither to look
upon the ample scene which spread on all sides around the
base of this rocky pinnacle? In that case, how should I
conduct myself! My arms were ready for use. Could I
not elude the necessity of shedding more blood? Could I
not anticipate their assault by casting myself without delay
into the stream?

The sense of danger demanded more attention to be paid
to external objects than to the motives by which my future
conduct should be influenced. My post was on a circular
projecture, in some degree, detached from the body of the
hill, the brow of which continued in a straight line, uninterrupted
by this projecture, which was somewhat higher than
the continued summit of the ridge. This line ran at the
distance of a few paces from my post. Objects moving
along this line could merely be perceived to move, in the
present obscurity.

My scrutiny was entirely directed to this quarter. Presently
the treading of many feet was heard, and several
figures were discovered, following each other in that straight
and regular succession which is peculiar to the Indians.
They kept along the brow of the hill joining the promontory.
I distinctly marked seven figures in succession.

My resolution was formed. Should any one cast his
eye hither, suspect, or discover an enemy, and rush towards
me, I determined to start upon my feet, fire on my foe as
he advanced, throw my piece on the ground, and then leap
into the river.

Happily, they passed unobservant and in silence. I remained
in the same posture for several minutes. At length,
just as my alarms began to subside, the halloes, before

heard, arose, and from the same quarter as before. This
convinced me that my perils were not at an end. This
now appeared to be merely the vanguard, and would speedily
be followed by others, against whom the same caution
was necessary to be taken.

My eye, anxiously bent the only way by which any one
could approach, now discerned a figure, which was indubitably
that of a man armed, none other appeared in company,
but doubtless others were near. He approached, stood
still, and appeared to gaze steadfastly at the spot where I
lay.

The optics of a Lennilennapee I knew to be far keener
than my own. A log or a couched fawn would never be
mistaken for a man, nor a man for a couched fawn or a log.
Not only a human being would be instantly detected, but a
decision be unerringly made whether it were friend or foe.
That my prostrate body was the object on which the attention
of this vigilant and steadfast gazer was fixed, could
not be doubted. Yet, since he continued an inactive gazer,
there was ground for a possibility to stand upon, that I was
not recognised. My fate therefore, was still in suspense.

This interval was momentary. I marked a movement,
which my fears instantly interpreted to be that of levelling a
gun at my head. This action was sufficiently conformable
to my prognostics. Supposing me to be detected, there
was no need for him to change his post. Aim might be
too fatally taken, and his prey be secured, from the distance
at which he now stood.

These images glanced upon my thought, and put an end
to my suspense. A single effort placed me on my feet. I
fired with precipitation that precluded the certainty of hitting
my mark, dropped my piece upon the ground, and leaped
from this tremendous height into the river. I reached the
surface, and sunk in a moment to the bottom.

Plunging endlong into the water, the impetus created by
my fall from such a height, would be slowly resisted by this
denser element. Had the depth been less, its resistance
would not perhaps have hindered me from being mortally
injured against the rocky bottom. Had the depth been
greater, time enough would not have been allowed me to regain
the surface. Had I fallen on my side, I should have

been bereaved of life or sensibility by the shock which my
frame would have received. As it was, my fate was suspended
on a thread. To have lost my presence of mind,
to have forborne to counteract my sinking, for an instant,
after I had reached the water, would have made all exertions
to regain the air, fruitless. To so fortunate a concurrence
of events, was thy friend indebted for his safety!

Yet I only emerged from the gulf to encounter new perils.
Scarcely had I raised my head above the surface, and inhaled
the vital breath, when twenty shots were aimed at me
from the precipice above. A shower of bullets fell upon
the water. Some of them did not fall further than two
inches from my head. I had not been aware of this new
danger, and now that it assailed me continued gasping the
air, and floundering at random. The means of eluding it
did not readily occur. My case seemed desperate and all
caution was dismissed.

This state of discomfiting surprise quickly disappeared. I
made myself acquainted, at a glance, with the position of
surrounding objects. I conceived that the opposite bank
of the river would afford me most security, and thither I
tended with all the expedition in my power.

Meanwhile, my safety depended on eluding the bullets
that continued incessantly to strike the water at an arm's
length from my body. For this end I plunged beneath the
surface, and only rose to inhale fresh air. Presently the
firing ceased, the flashes that lately illuminated the bank
disappeared, and a certain bustle and murmur of confused
voices gave place to solitude and silence.