Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/180

 Sarsefield: it was constructed for the purposes, not of sport, but of war: the artist had made it a congeries of tubes and springs, by which every purpose of protection and offence was effectually served: a dagger's blade was attached to it, capable of being fixed at the end, and of answering the destructive purpose of a bayonet. On his departure from Solebury, my friend left it, as a pledge of his affection, in my possession: hitherto I had chiefly employed it in shooting at a mark, in order to improve my sight; now was I to profit by it in a different way.

Thus armed, I prepared to sally forth on my adventurous expedition. Sober views might have speedily succeeded to the present tempest of my passions; I might have gradually discovered the romantic and criminal temerity of my project, the folly of revenge, and the duty of preserving my life for the benefit of mankind; I might have suspected the propriety of my conclusion, and have admitted some doubts as to the catastrophe which I imagined to have befallen my uncle and sisters; I might, at least, have consented to ascertain their condition with my own eyes, and for this end have returned to the cottage, and have patiently waited till the morning light should permit me to resume my journey.

This conduct was precluded by a new incident. Before I opened the door, I looked through a crevice of the wall, and perceived three human figures at the farther end of the field. They approached the house. Though indistinctly seen, something in their port persuaded me that these were the Indians from whom I had lately parted. I was startled, but not dismayed; my thirst of vengeance was still powerful, and I believed that the moment of its gratification was hastening. In a short time they would arrive, and enter the house. In what manner should they be received?

I studied not my own security: it was the scope of my wishes to kill the whole number of my foes; but that being done, I was indifferent to the consequences: I desired not to live to relate or to exult in the deed.

To go forth was perilous and useless: all that remained was to sit upon the ground opposite the door, and fire at