"It is from the pouch of that accursed trapper. Like many of
the hunters he has a mark in his mould, in order to know the work his
rifle performs; and here you see it plainly--six little holes, laid
crossways."
"I'll swear to it!" cried Abiram, triumphantly. "He show'd me his
private mark, himself, and boasted of the number of deer he had laid
upon the prairies with these very bullets! Now, Ishmael, will you
believe me when I tell you the old knave is a spy of the red-skins?"
The lead passed from the hand of one to that of another, and
unfortunately for the reputation of the old man, several among them
remembered also to have seen the aforesaid private bullet-marks,
during the curious examination which all had made of his
accoutrements. In addition to this wound, however, were many others of
a less dangerous nature, all of which were supposed to confirm the
supposed guilt of the trapper.
The traces of many different struggles were to be seen, between the
spot where the first blood was spilt and the thicket to which it was
now generally believed Asa had retreated, as a place of refuge.
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