“‘I couldn’t help it, old fellow,’ he said. ‘It was the only way of saving your life.’”
Roger paused. His voice failed him, so deep was his emotion; but when he spoke again he had mastered himself.
“I stayed in that hut a whole week unable to move; he kept guard over me and nursed me night and day. At the end of that time I was fit to travel. He brought me on my way until I was out of danger; then we parted. Ask me not what we said one to the other during those days and nights we were alone together; from henceforth we have agreed to strive our very uttermost never to meet again, never to look into each other’s faces. We are dead to one another. He told me that not for worlds would he again go through the agony he endured when he felled me to the earth, and stood over my body to prevent his Indians scalping me. Was I dead or alive? Had the curse of Cain descended upon him? He had conquered me; I was his captive,—that was all he knew, and by that right he saved me from the Indians. Not till night had fallen and they were deep in their disgusting orgies did he and John Stone, the lad who followed him as his servant, venture to do more than thrust me into an outhouse, lock the door, and threaten vengeance upon any one who should molest me. I was his prize and he was chief! They dared not disobey. During the night he and John carried me to a deserted hut in the forest, where I was comparatively safe. It is a week since we parted company. I have travelled slowly, from weakness, and because I was only able to carry a small amount of food. More than once I thought I must lie down and die after he left me.”
Roger stopped short. “That is all,” he said, looking round. The womenkind were weeping, the men’s faces were stern. Then John Cleveland stood up.
“Let us pray,” he said; and, after the fashion of the old Puritans, they all arose and stood with clasped hands and bowed heads whilst the minister prayed.
“O Lord, we thank Thee for Thy great mercy in delivering our dear brother from the jaws of the lion and bringing him back amongst us. In Thy great wisdom Thou hast done this thing, that he may be as Moses of old, a deliverer of Thy people. Strengthen him, O Lord; enlighten him, that he may overcome in Thy might the heathen and the oppressor. Give us peace, O Lord, we pray Thee; but if because of the wickedness in the land war cometh upon us, then give us the victory. Teach Thou ‘our hands to war’ that we may glorify Thy Name, and that the strange nations may do likewise. And over this household we pray Thee stretch forth Thine hand. Be merciful to the widow and fatherless in their affliction, and in Thy good time bring back the wandering sheep into the fold. Enable us to cast out all affections which tend not to Thy glory, and to worship Thee alone, the only true God, for Thy Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.”
“Amen,” answered the little congregation.
“Peace be with you all,” said the minister, stretching forth his hand.
And so, without further speech, but with silent hand-clasping, they parted for the night. When all were gone, and Father Nat and Roger stood alone on the hearth, the former said,—
“It will be war, Roger.”