Wacousta: A Tale of the Pontiac Conspiracy--Volume 1

the forest, and brought the hands of the startled officers instinctively to their swords. This appalling cry lasted, without interruption, for many minutes, and was

rsuit,-perhaps of some prisoner who had escaped from their toils; the second, of triumph and success,-in all probability, indicative of the recapture of that prisoner. For many minutes afterwards the officers continued to listen, with the most aching attention, for a repetition of the cry, or even fainter sounds, that might denote either a nearer approach to the fort, or the final departure of the Indians. After the second yell,

cted,-followed, and again fallen into their hands. I know their infernal yells but too well. The last ex

cry was certainly what you describe it, and Heaven o

t, than to share their impressions with their companions. Charles de Haldimar stood a little in the rear, leaning his head upon his hand against

resumed Captain Erskine, taking up the prayer book the adjutant had, in hastening on the first

er of the prayers. A very few minutes sufficed for the performance of this solemn duty, which was effected by the fa

and disclosing objects in succession, until the eye could embrace all that came within its extent of vision. As the officers yet lingered near the rude grave of their companion, watching with abstracted air the languid

en deceived in that. How delighted the old governor will be, Charles, to hear this. No more lecturing, I am sure, for the next six months at least;" and the young officer rubbed

him, as to his companions, the outline of the old bomb proof was now distinctly visible, but it was sometime before they could discover, in the d

dedly superior to mine; yet I used to be thought a good rifleman too, and have credit for an eye no less keen than that of an Indian

me perceptible; and the officers, with one unanimous voice, bore loud testimony to the skill and dext

owed on his friend. "Bravo, my dear fellow;" then approaching, and in a half whisper, "when next I write to Clara, I shall request her, with my cousin's assistance, to prepare a chaplet of bays, wherewith I shall myself crown you as their proxy. But what is the

r Everard, at length raising himself from the statue-like position he had assumed. "Almighty God,"

his hand, with quick and unequal steps, even like those of a drunken man,

and for a moment they fancied that fatigue, and watching, and excitement, had partially affected his brain. But when, after the lapse

and striking uniform of a British officer. Doubt as to who that officer was there could be none, for the white sword-belt suspended over the right shoulde

a rude, vulgar, and illiterate, though brave Irishman-having risen from the ranks, the coarseness of which he had never been able to shake off, was little calculated, either by habits or education, to awaken feelings, except of the most ordinary description, in his favour; and he and Ensign Delme were the only exceptions to those disinterested and tacit friendships that had grown up out of circumstances in common among the majority. If, therefore, they could regret the loss of such a companion as Murphy, how deep and heartfelt must have been the sorrow they experienced when they beheld the brave, generous, manly, amiable, and highly-talented Frederick de Haldimar-the pride of the garrison, and the idol of his family-lying extended, a cold, senseless corpse, slain by the hand of the bosom friend of his own brother!-Notwithstanding the stern severity and distance of the gover

fe itself had been for a period suspended. At length, however, while his companions watched in silence the mining workings of that grief which they feared to interrupt by ill-timed observations, even of condolence, the death-like hue, which had hitherto suffused the usually blooming cheek of the young officer, was succeeded by a flush of the deepest dye,

a litter, with which they speedily re-appeared. On this Charles de Haldimar, already delirious with the fever of intense excitement, was carefully placed, and, followed by Captain Blessington and Lieutenant Johnstone, borne to his apartment in the small range of buildings constituting the officers' barracks. Captain Erskine undertook