At length an athletic and dark looking Indian, who, by his air of
authority, would seem to be the leader, summoned his chiefs about him,
to a consultation, which was held mounted. This body was collected on
the very margin of that mass of herbage in which the trapper and his
companions were hid. As the young man looked up and saw the fierce
aspect of the group, which was increasing at each instant by the
accession of some countenance and figure, apparently more forbidding
than any which had preceded it, he drew his rifle, by a very natural
impulse, from beneath him, and commenced putting it in a state for
service. The female, at his side, buried her face in the grass, by a
feeling that was, possibly, quite as natural to her sex and habits,
leaving him to follow the impulses of his hot blood; but his aged and
more prudent adviser, whispered, sternly, in his ear--
"The tick of the lock is as well known to the knaves, as the blast of
a trumpet to a soldier! lay down the piece--lay down the piece--
should the moon touch the barrel, it could not fail to be seen by the
devils, whose eyes are keener than the blackest snake's! The smallest
motion, now, would be sure to bring an arrow among us.
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