“Is there no way,” repeated Gay, “in which we can warn the whites of their danger?”
“Lady, you are the real genuine,” said Earth; “most people would think of themselves first; but you are right; if the Ingens get into the camp before the whites have notice, they will use 'em all up. I think a single life is nobly disposed of, when given for the preservation of many, so I will slip away and risk it;—hush!”—then listening,—“I hear some more passing along on the edge of the prairie. I will try and get into the camp if I can; if not, I will fire my gun and give the alarm. But oh! Rolfe, if I can only get inside, and tell them what the Ingens are about, we will have as much fun as if we were shooting turkies at a bait.” Then rising,—“good bye, may God bless you both.”
“Stop, stop!” said Gay, addressing him, “I did not mean that you should go.”
“Lady, I intended it from the first minute;—I was only waiting for them to stop passing a little, that I might at least have a chance to do some good.”
“Earth,” said Rolfe, quickly, “what is to become of us, if you leave?”
“Oh! I can do no good by remaining now,” said Earth; “you had better conceal yourselves as well as you can, and remain where you are;—keep a sharp look out, and if an Ingen comes near you, shoot him down. You will hardly be in danger, unless they stumble over you, for you see they have something else to think of. Watch how the battle goes, and if you find it going against us, why do the best you can; take the woods, and try and reach the settlements. The Ingens are now passing in every direction:—it will not do for you to stir yet; so, hide awhile longer; keep close, until the rifles begin to talk pretty pert, then, if you choose, get as far as you can from the town, and wait the result. If the Ingens are beaten, come to the camp, and if every thing goes well, we shall again meet; if not, why, as I said before, do the best you can; and as in that event, I shall probably be used up, we had as well, before we part, shake hands; for it may be for the last time.” Taking Gay's hand, he grasped it cordially, saying,—“lady, these little fingers tell that the forest should not have been thy home.—Good bye! may heaven bless you.”—then, turning to Rolfe,—“well, Rolfe, we have seen some strange things in our time. I wish I had told you, before we parted, of the last fight that old Jupe had; but I hav'nt time now. If I should happen to quit to night, why sometimes think of Earth when you take a glass, and recollect, that though a rough fellow, his intentions were always to do what he believed right. Farewell!”
Gay and Rolfe made no reply, but were much affected, and moving off, Earth turned and said,—“there is one thing I forgot, which I had as well tell you: you are both young, and likely to travel the same path; so, try and go along in a spirit of compromise; we all have our quirks, and it is no use to get cross about small things;” and still talking, he glided away through the grass, and his last words which were heard by Rolfe, were,—“take a brush.”
Continuing to approach the camp, Earth moved on as cautiously as though he were one of the party of Indians now attempting to surprise it; thinking that, even should he be seen, he would not be recognized, but regarded merely as one of the assailing band. Leaving him to continue his exertions to enter the camp, we must return for a moment to the Prophet.
As Oloompa expected when he left Tippecanoe, the warriors succeeded in forcing the Prophet to give them immediate battle, and in accordance with that resolve, they all left the town, and at the moment that Earth was endeavouring to enter the American camp, they were creeping stealthily around it, or rather, lying down, were cautiously drawing their bodies through the grass and bushes. When Elkswatawa determined to fight, he again resumed the character of Prophet, which for a few moments he had laid aside, in his great anxiety to preserve peace, and calling his warriors around him previous to their setting out, he reiterated to them his predictions of success beyond a doubt, and renewed the promise of the Great Spirit, that the balls of the whites should fall harmless among them, and that they should have light, while their enemies would be involved in darkness. The fiat of Heaven itself could not have inspired them with more confidence, and scarcely were the words uttered, before stealing away in small parties, they began to surround the American camp, with a hope of realizing its truth.
When the plan of attack was determined on, at the Prophet's suggestion it was also agreed, that he himself was not to mingle in the fight; his person was too sacred; but, remaining in the rear, he was to direct by his counsel, and hold intercourse with the Great Spirit. The object of the Indians in surrounding the camp, and approaching it so cautiously, was at a given signal to despatch all the sentries, and rushing forward before the whites could be organized, commence the massacre. At the time that Earth left Rolfe, they had already approached so near to the American lines, that even the guards as they moved on their posts were heard by them, and still all went well. Not a whisper, not a sound, save the heavy tread of the sentinel as he walked his path, broke upon the ear. Leaving them for a moment, let us enter within the camp of the whites.