Gravity Gimp and Lieutenant Fred Godfrey were in high spirits, for each
had been highly favored by fortune. They were beyond sight of the
camp-fire and had thrown the pursuing Iroquois off the track, so that,
with ordinary care, they were out of personal danger.
But this elation could not last. Could they forget that within a stone's
throw their friends were in peril, and unless soon rescued would be
beyond all help?
"We have only one gun between us," said Fred, "and I don't see any
prospect of getting another."
"I thinked maybe we mought find one, somewhar in de woods," said Gimp,
"but I guess dere ain't much show for dat. You am de best shot, so I'll
be wery much obleeged if you'll take charge ob dis rifle."
Fred accepted the weapon, feeling that before any great harm could
befall those in the Indian camp, the bullet nestling in the barrel would
be heard from.
"We will steal up as near as we dare," said he, "and watch our chances."
"I doesn't see dat I can assist you, to a wery alarming extent," said
Gimp, "so if you doesn't object, I'll go on a scout."
"Go on a scout? What do you mean by that?"
"Ise an ijee; I'll take a look around, and when I want you I'll just
whistle this way, and you'll understand."
Fred had little faith in the proposal, but fortunately he did not
object, and a minute later Gimp was gone.
Left to himself Fred stealthily approached the vicinity of the camp,
fully alive to the delicacy of his mission.
He was resolved that if detected, and this was likely to occur, since a
number of the Senecas were still absent and would soon be returning, he
would not be retaken.
"There will not be a shadow of hope, if I fall into their hands again,
and I may as well make it lively for a while."
A few steps farther and he reached a point from which he obtained a
clear view of the Indian camp.
He saw Aunt Peggy busy with her culinary duties, while the group of half
a dozen Indians were as eagerly watching and scrambling for the brown
slices as if they were so many wolves.
By and by Jake Golcher cut the withes that bound the arms of Habakkuk
McEwen and Mr. Brainerd, and began talking with Maggie while Fred
watched with the deepest interest the singular camp.
"I think there'll be some mischief done pretty soon," thought the youth,
after watching the scene for a moment; "and, if so, I must take a hand."
He had stationed himself by the side of a tree with large spreading
limbs, and he now resorted to the odd plan of climbing a short distance
and seating himself among the limbs.
"I've got just as good a view here," he said to himself, "and, if it
becomes necessary to shoot, they won't be apt to look in this place for
me."
At the same time it occurred to him that if the flash of his gun should
be noticed, and his whereabouts discovered, he would be in the worst
possible situation.
Parting the limbs, so as to give him the view he wished, he held his
weapon ready to fire any instant, while he closely watched proceedings.
No better aim could have been required than that now given him; he could
cover every one in the party, and the distance was so short that it was
impossible to miss.
"I ought to shoot him," he muttered, as he looked at Jake Golcher, while
sitting by Maggie Brainerd and talking with such earnestness; "it is he
who has followed us, and but for him the party would be well out of
danger by this time."
The young lieutenant was angry enough to shoot a dozen Tories, had the
chance been his; but when he sighted along the gleaming barrel of his
rifle, on which the firelight fell, he could not bring himself to the
point.
"Yes; I ought to do it," he added, "but I can't feel right in picking
off a man in that fashion. No; I'll wait till he gives me a better
excuse."
The watcher knew what passed between Maggie, Golcher, and Mr. Brainerd,
when the last came up and uttered his indignant protest, almost as well
as if he had overheard the words themselves.
"Jake has proposed to let the whole party off, provided Maggie will
marry him, and before she can decide (for he knows if she makes the
promise she will keep it, if they both live), father is giving the Tory
a piece of his mind. He's doing it in a style, too, that can't be
misunderstood."
This little scene lasted but a few seconds, when Mr. Brainerd resumed
his seat on the log, close to his daughter, as if he would protect her
from any more such advances.
All this was noted and understood by the watcher in the tree, when the
latter was recalled to his own situation by a slight rustling below.
Looking down, he was able to see by the light of the camp-fire the
figure of a Seneca Indian, as he walked softly in the direction of the
camp.
No doubt he was one of the warriors that had been hunting for Fred, and
who failed to find him.
The latter was so near his enemies that he could follow the motions of
the Indian until he joined his comrades, or, rather, went up to Golcher,
who straightway began questioning him about the search for the young
patriot.
Whatever their answers might have been, it is scarcely to be presumed
they added much to the peace of mind of Mr. Jacob Golcher.