"
Ellen seemed to hesitate, but catching a glimpse of Paul, who stood
leaning proudly on his rifle, whistling, with an appearance of the
utmost indifference, the air of a boating song, she recovered her
recollection in time to answer,--
"I have been left the captain of the rock, while my uncle and his sons
hunt, and captain will I remain till he returns to receive back the
charge."
"This is wasting moments that will not soon return, and neglecting an
opportunity that may never occur again," the young soldier gravely
remarked. "The sun is beginning to fall already, and many minutes
cannot elapse before the squatter and his savage brood will be
returning to their huts."
Doctor Battius cast a glance behind him, and took up the discourse, by
saying--
"Perfection is always found in maturity, whether it be in the animal
or in the intellectual world. Reflection is the mother of wisdom, and
wisdom the parent of success. I propose that we retire to a discreet
distance from this impregnable position, and there hold a convocation,
or council, to deliberate on what manner we may sit down regularly
before the place; or, perhaps, by postponing the siege to another
season, gain the aid of auxiliaries from the inhabited countries, and
thus secure the dignity of the laws from any danger of a repulse.
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