Yes--it was decreed that I should die.
The time and the mode alone remained to be determined; but these points
were soon settled. For the former it was to be then--instantly--and as
to the mode, I was to be bled to death!
These resolves were made with a despatch that allowed no time for
reflection--scarcely time for speech or protestation. The ferocious
wolves were eager for their prey.
It was their determination to act promptly to the time; for, without
further hesitation, half-a-dozen of the most forward in the business
advanced towards me--evidently with the intent to put their design into
execution!
And, beyond a doubt, they would have done it--had I been alone and
unprotected--beyond a doubt they would have killed and eaten me! But I
was not alone--I was not without a protector. As the fierce cannibals
advanced, Brace sprang between them and me, and drawing his clasp-knife,
threatened to cut down the first who should lay a finger upon me.
"Off!" cried he, "off, you cowardly swabs! Lay your hand upon the lad,
and I'll make mince-meat o' ye. He may be the first to be eaten, but he
arn't the first that'll die for it--there's more than one o' ye'll have
to kick the bucket afore he does. Blowed if thar arn't! So now ye
cowardly hounds! come on if you dare."
The dastards, cowed by the intrepid bearing of Brace, halted in their
advance and hung back--though no one of them ventured a reply. They
seemed to have been taken by surprise; for although they knew that Brace
opposed the design, they had no idea he would attempt to struggle
against the whole crew. Surprise, therefore, held them back, mingled
with some little fear--for the determined attitude which Brace had
taken, and the shining blade of his knife, promised death to some of
them; and, as each feared it might be himself, no one desired to be the
foremost.
I had thrown myself alongside my brave protector, resolving to do battle
and die by his side--though not much could my puny arm have effected
against the host of strong ferocious men who assailed us. Still it
would be better to die thus, than to be butchered in cold blood; and
under this belief I nerved myself for the encounter.
At this crisis a change appeared to take place in the attitude of my
companion: some new thought had struck him; and, waving his hand in a
peculiar manner--which signified to our antagonists that he had some
proposal to make--he succeeded in obtaining silence. He then addressed
them as follows:--"Comrades! arn't it too bad there should be
quarrelling atween us at such a time as this, when we're all in trouble
alike?"
Brace's late tone of defiance had changed to one of half entreaty, and
it was evident he was about to propose some compromise. Indeed, it
would have been madness in him to have carried the conflict farther, as
it could only have resulted in the death of us both.
"Comrades!" he continued, "it's a dreadful thing to die, but I know that
some one must be made a sacrifice for the rest, and that are better than
we should all go. Ye must know then when this thing happens it be the
usual way to draw lots about it."
"We shan't have it that way!" cried one, adding to his response the
emphasis of an oath.
"Well, then," continued Brace, without losing his pacific demeanour,
"since you're agreed that it shan't be that way, and that the boy must
be the first, and since you're all agreed to it, it's no use o' me
standin' in the way. I agree to it wi' the rest."
I was startled at the words, and involuntarily turned my eyes upon the
face of the speaker. Was he serious? was he really about to give me up?
to surrender me into the hands of those ruthless men?
He took no notice of me; and his unflinching attitude, and glance still
bent in the same direction, told me that he had not yet done speaking.
"But," said he after pause, "with these conditions."
"What conditions?" asked several, interrupting him.
"Why only this," replied Brace, "that the boy be let live till the
morning. I only ask for him till the sun rises; and then if there be no
sail in sight, ye can do as ye please. It's only fair the lad should
have a chance for his life; and if you don't agree to give him this
chance," continued the speaker, once more placing himself in a
determined attitude, "if you don't, then all I've got to say is, that
I'll fight for the lad as long as I can stand over him, and if he be
first ate he won't be first killed--that I can promise ye. Now?"
Brace's speech produced the desired effect. His auditory, though
reluctantly, agreed to the proposal. Even those heartless fiends could
not help acknowledging that it was no more than fair; but, perhaps, the
determined and resolute bearing of my protector--as he stood, drawn up
and ready, with that keen blade shining in his strong, firm grasp--had
more influence upon their decision than any feeling of fair play.
Whether or not, the reprieve was granted; and those who had been
menacing my life drew back--though still muttering their discontent--and
shrunk once more into their places.