Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/172

 which remained behind; but I had another and a better weapon in my grasp: I could rive the head of my adversary, and cast him headlong, without any noise which should be heard, into the eavern [sic].

Still I was willing to withdraw, to re-enter the cave, and take shelter in the darksome recesses from which I had emerged: here I might remain unsuspected till these detested guests should depart: the hazards attending my re-entrance were to be boldly encountered, and the torments of unsatisfied thirst were to be patiently endured, rather than imbrue my hands in the blood of my fellow men. But this expedient would be ineffectual if my retreat should be observed by this savage: of that I was bound to be incontestibly assured: I retreated, therefore, but kept my eye fixed at the same time upon the enemy.

Some ill fate decreed that I should not retreat unobserved. Scarcely had I withdrawn three paces when he started from his seat, and turning towards me, walked with a quick pace. The shadow of the rock, and the improbability of meeting an enemy here, concealed me for a moment from his observation. I stood still: the slightest motion would have attracted his notice; at present, the narrow space engaged all his vigilance: cautious footsteps, and attention to the path, were indispensable to his safety. The respite was momentary, and I employed it in my own defence.

How otherwise could I act? The danger that impended, aimed at nothing less than my life; to take the life of another was the only method of averting it: the means were in my hand, and they were used: in an extremity like this, my muscles would have acted almost in defiance of my will.

The stroke was quick as lightning, and the wound mortal and deep: he had not time to descry the author of his fate; but, sinking on the path, expired without a groan. The hatchet buried itself in his breast, and rolled with him to the bottom of the precipice.

Never before had I taken the life of a human creature: on this head I had, indeed, entertained somewhat of religious scruples: these scruples did not forbid me to defend myself, but they made me cautious and reluctant to decide;