While affecting to examine the
group, which still lingered at the spot where it had first halted, as
if to discover the characters of those who composed it, he plainly saw
that Ishmael contemplated immediate hostilities. The result of a
conflict on the open prairie, between a dozen resolute border men, and
the half-armed natives, even though seconded by their white allies,
was in his experienced judgment a point of great uncertainty, and
though far from reluctant to engage in the struggle on account of
himself, the aged trapper thought it far more worthy of his years, and
his character, to avoid than to court the contest. His feelings were,
for obvious reasons, in accordance with those of Paul and Middleton,
who had lives still more precious than their own to watch over and
protect. In this dilemma the three consulted on the means of escaping
the frightful consequences which might immediately follow a single act
of hostility on the part of the borderers; the old man taking care
that their communication should, in the eyes of those who noted the
expression of their countenances with jealous watchfulness, bear the
appearance of explanations as to the reason why such a party of
travellers was met so far in the deserts.
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