In an instant every gun was leveled; but at the same moment a sharp flash ran along the trees and bushes beyond, the loud report of firearms rattled through the forest, and one of the young officers of the rangers dropped at once. Several privates fell before they could draw the trigger, while the rest were sending a fatal volley into the wood.
"On! on!" cried Putnam. "Clear the copse of them! My lord, what is the matter?"
Lord H---- stood for a moment longer without answering, then wavered for an instant on his feet, and fell back into the arms of a sergeant of the rangers.
"I knew it!" cried Putnam. "Forward, my men! Forward! and avenge this noble fellow!"
CHAPTER XXXIV
Very different from the array of Abercrombie's army was the march of the Oneidas through the deep woods on the western side of Lake Horicon. Far spread out and separate from each other, they pursued a number of different trails in profound silence, and in single files of not more than twenty or thirty each; and yet, with what seemed a sort of instinct, each party directed its course unerringly to one particular point. They knew the spot they were to strike, they knew the time they were to be there; and at that spot, and at that time, each little band appeared with its most famous warrior at its head. Thus, in the small savanna where the poor negress, Sister Bab, had found the advance guard of the whole nation, nearly six hundred warriors of the children of the Stone assembled on the night of Saturday.
Dressed like themselves, with tomahawk and knife in his belt, and moccasins upon his feet, appeared Walter Prevost, distinguished from the rest by his fair skin and flowing hair. The sports of the field, the wild life he had led for several years, and even the hardships he had lately suffered, had fitted him for all the fatigues of an Indian march, and rendered a frame naturally strong, extraordinarily robust and active. Ignorant of any danger to those he best loved, rejoicing in deliverance from captivity and the peril of death, and full of bright hopes for the future, his heart was light and gay, and happiness added energy to vigor. The hardy warriors with whom he marched saw with surprise and admiration the son of the paleface bear difficulties and fatigues as well as themselves, and come in at the close of the day as fresh and cheerful.
The fires were lighted, the rifles piled near to each separate band, and the food which they brought with them cooked after their fashion and distributed amongst them. But the meal was not over ere another small band joined them; and Black Eagle himself passed round the different fires, till he paused by that at which Walter was seated. None of his own people had taken any notice of his appearance. Once or twice one of the warriors, indeed, looked up as he went by; but no sign of reverence or recognition was given, till Walter, after the European fashion, rose and extended his hand.
"Thou art before me, my son," said the chief. "The wings of the Black Eagle have had far to fly. I have visited thy father's lodge, and have followed him to the new Castle at the midday end of Horicon."
"My father!" said Walter, in great surprise. "Was he not at his house?"