A yell of triumph burst from the savages in their
turn, and was rather accompanied than followed by a long, loud whine
from Hector.
In an instant the old man was between the horses of Middleton and
Paul, extending a hand to the bridle of each, in order to check the
impatience of their riders.
"Softly, softly," he whispered, "their eyes are as marvellously shut
for the minute, as if the Lord had stricken them blind; but their ears
are open. Softly, softly; for fifty rods, at least, we must move no
faster than a walk."
The five minutes of doubt that succeeded appeared like an age to all
but the trapper. As their sight was gradually restored, it seemed to
each that the momentary gloom, which followed the extinction of the
beacon, was to be replaced by as broad a light as that of noon-day.
Gradually the old man, however, suffered the animals to quicken their
steps, until they had gained the centre of one of the prairie bottoms.
Then laughing in his quiet manner he released the reins and said--
"Now, let them give play to their legs; but keep on the old fog to
deaden the sounds.
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