"
As she spoke, a strong light, like that of a brilliant star, was seen
on the very pinnacle of the rock; then followed a forked flame, which
curled for a moment amid the windings of an enormous pile of brush,
and flashing upward in an united sheet, it wavered to and fro, in the
passing air, shedding a bright glare on every object within its
influence. A taunting laugh was heard from the height, in which the
voices of all ages mingled, as though they triumphed at having so
successfully exposed the treacherous intentions of the Tetons.
The trapper looked about him to ascertain in what situations he might
find his friends. True to the signals, Middleton and Paul had drawn a
little apart, and now stood ready, by every appearance, to commence
their flight at the third repetition of the cry. Hector had escaped
his savage pursuer, and was again crouching at the heels of his
master's horse. But the broad circle of light was gradually increasing
in extent and power, and the old man, whose eye and judgment so rarely
failed him, patiently awaited a more propitious moment for his
enterprise.
Pages:
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497