Not so Paul; conceiving himself to have obtained the two things
dearest to his heart, the possession of Ellen and a triumph over the
sons of Ishmael, he now enacted his part, in the business of the
moment, with as much coolness as though he was already leading his
willing bride, from solemnising their nuptials before a border
magistrate, to the security of his own dwelling. He had hovered around
the moving family, during the tedious period of their weary march,
concealing himself by day, and seeking interviews with his betrothed
as opportunities offered, in the manner already described, until
fortune and his own intrepidity had united to render him successful,
at the very moment when he was beginning to despair, and he now cared
neither for distance, nor violence, nor hardships. To his sanguine
fancy and determined resolution all the rest was easily to be
achieved. Such were his feelings, and such in truth they seemed to be.
With his cap cast on one side, and whistling a low air, he thrashed
among the bushes, in order to make a place suitable for the females to
repose on, while, from time to time, he cast an approving glance at
the agile form of Ellen, as she tripped past him, engaged in her own
share of the duty.
Pages:
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413