Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/208

 I was unacquainted with the number of the enemies who had adventured into this district. Whether those whom I had encountered at Deb's but were of that band whom I had met with in the cavern, was merely a topic of conjecture: there might be a half score of troops, equally numerous, spread over the wilderness, and the signal I had just heard might betoken the approach of one of these: yet by what means they should gain the nook, and what prey they expected to discover, were not easily conceived.

The sounds, somewhat diversified, nearer and rising from different quarters, were again heard: my doubts and apprehensions were increased. What expedient to adopt for my own safety was a subject of rapid meditation; whether to remain stretched upon the ground, or to rise and go forward. Was it likely the enemy would coast along the edge of the steep? Would they ramble hither to look upon the ample scene which spread on all sides around the base of this rocky pinnacle? In that case, how should I conduct myself? My arms were ready for use. Could I not elude the necessity of shedding more blood? Could I not anticipate their assault by casting myself without delay into the stream?

The sense of danger demanded more attention to be paid to external objects, than to the motives by which my future conduct should be influenced. My post was on a circular projecture, in some degree detached from the body of the hill, the brow of which continued in a straight line, uninterrupted by this projecture, which was somewhat higher than the continued summit of the ridge: this line ran at the distance of a few paces from my post. Objects moving along this line could merely be perceived to move, in the present obscurity.

My scrutiny was entirely directed to this quarter. Presently the treading of many feet was heard, and several figures were discovered, following each other in that straight and regular succession which is peculiar to the Indians: they kept along the brow of the hill joining the promontory.—I distinctly marked seven figures in succession.

My resolution was formed: should any one cast his eye hither, suspect, or discover an enemy, and rush towards me,