Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/186

 unable to rise or to walk, and it was plain that one or more of her ribs had been fractured by the blow.

I knew not what means to devise for our mutual relief: it was possible that the nearest dwelling was many leagues distant: I knew not in what direction to go in order to find it, and my strength would not suffice to carry my wounded companion thither in my arms: there was no expedient but to remain in this field of blood till the morning.

I had scarcely formed this resolution before the report of a musket was heard at a small distance: at the same moment I distinctly heard the whistling of a bullet near me. I now remembered that of the five Indians whom I saw in the cavern, I was acquainted with the destiny only of four: the fifth might be still alive, and Fortune might reserve for him the task of avenging his companions: his steps might now be tending hither in search of them.

The musket belonging to him who was shot upon the threshold, was still charged: it was discreet to make all the provision in my power against danger. I possessed myself of his gun; and seating myself on the ground, looked carefully on all sides, to descry the approach of the enemy. I listened with breathless eagerness.

Presently voices were heard: they ascended from that part of the thicket from which my view was intercepted by the cottage. These voices had something in them that bespoke them to belong to friends and countrymen: as yet I was unable to distinguish words.

Presently my eye was attracted to one quarter by a sound as of feet trampling down bushes: several heads were seen moving in succession, and at length the whole person was conspicuous. One after another leaped over a kind of mound which bordered the field, and made towards the spot where I sat. This band was composed of ten or twelve persons, with each a gun upon his shoulder. Their guise, the moment it was perceived, dissipated all my apprehensions.

They came within the distance of a few paces before they discovered me. One stopped, and bespeaking the attention of his followers, called to know who was there. I answered that I was a friend, who entreated their assistance.