Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/191

 indications of a savage: occasionally he reared himself above the bushes, and scanned with suspicious vigilance the cottage and the space surrounding it; then he stooped, and crept along as before.

I was at no loss to interpret these appearances—this was my surviving enemy: he was unacquainted with the fate of his associates, and was now approaching the theatre of carnage, to ascertain their fate.

Once more was the advantage afforded me: from this spot might unerring aim be taken, and the last of this hostile troop be made to share the fate of the rest:—should I fire, or suffer him to pass in safety?

My abhorrence of bloodshed was not abated; but I had not foreseen this occurrence. My success hitherto had seemed to depend upon a combination of fortunate incidents, which could not be expected again to take place; but now was I invested with the same power: the mark was near—nothing obstructed or delayed; I incurred no danger, and the event was certain.

Why should he be suffered to live? He came hither to murder and despoil my friends; this work he has no doubt performed: nay, has he not borne his part in the destruction of my uncle and my sisters? He will live only to pursue the same sanguinary trade, to drink the blood and exult in the laments of his unhappy foes, and of my own brethren. Fate has reserved him for a bloody and violent death: for how long a time soever it may be deferred, it is thus that his career will inevitably terminate.

Should he be spared, he will still roam in the wilderness, and I may again be fated to encounter him: then our mutual situation may be widely different, and the advantage I now possess may be his.

While hastily revolving these thoughts, I was thoroughly aware that one event might take place which would render all deliberation useless. Should he spy me where I lay, my fluctuations must end—my safety would indispensably require me to shoot. This persuasion made me keep a steadfast eye upon his motions, and be prepared to anticipate his assault.

It now most seasonably occurred to me that one essential