American fiction -- 19th century; Historical fiction; Indians of North America -- Fiction
It was evident, moreover, that this stranger also sought a species of
concealment, as well as the fugitives. It is true he had not buried
himself in a cover of bushes; but his seat was in a hollow of the ground
where no one could have seen him, from the rear or on either side, at a
distance a very little greater than that at which Margery stood, while
his front was guarded from view by a line of bushes that fringed the
margin of the stream. Marius, pondering on the mutations of fortune,
amid the ruins of Carthage, could scarcely have presented a more
striking object than the immovable form of this stranger. At length
the Indian slightly turned his head, when his observer, to her great
surprise, saw the hard, red, but noble and expressive profile of the
well-known features of Peter.
In an instant all Margery's apprehensions vanished, and her hand was
soon lightly laid on the shoulder of her friend. Notwithstanding the
suddenness of this touch, the great chief manifested no alarm. He turned
his head slowly, and when he saw the bright countenance of the charming
bride, his smile met hers in pleased recognition. There was no start, no
exclamation, no appearance of surprise; on the contrary, Peter seemed to
meet his pretty young friend much as a matter of course, and obviously
with great satisfaction.
“How lucky this is, Peter!” exclaimed the breathless Margery. “Bourdon's
mind will now be at rest, for he was afraid you had gone to join our
enemies, Bear's Meat and his party.”
“Yes; go and stay wid 'em. So bess. Now dey t'ink Peter all on deir
side. But never forget you, young Blossom.”
“I believe you, Peter; for I FEEL as if you are a true friend. How lucky
that we should meet here!”
“No luck at all. Come a purpose. Pigeonswing tell me where you be, so
come here. Juss so.”
“Then you expected to find us in this cover! and what have you to tell
us of our enemies?”
“Plenty of DEM. All about mout' of river. All about woods and Openings
here. More dan you count. T'ink of nuttin' but get your scalp.”
“Ah! Peter;--why is it that you red men wish so much to take our
lives?--and why have you destroyed the missionary, a pious Christian,
who wished for nothing but your good?”
Peter bent his eyes to the earth, and for more than a minute he made no
reply. He was much moved, however, as was visible in his countenance,
which plainly denoted that strong emotions were at work within.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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