Each prostrate figure was furnished
with a rifled musket, and a leathern bag tied round his waist, which
was, probably, stored with powder and ball. From these reflections, the sense of my own danger was revived and
enforced; but I likewise ruminated on the evils which might impend over
others. I should, no doubt, be safe by remaining in this nook; but might
not some means be pursued to warn others of their danger? Should they
leave this spot without notice of their approach being given to the
fearless and pacific tenants of the neighbouring district, they might
commit, in a few hours, the most horrid and irreparable devastation. The alarm could only be diffused in one way. Could I not escape,
unperceived, and without alarming the sleepers, from this cavern? The
slumber of an Indian is broken by the slightest noise; but, if all noise
be precluded, it is commonly profound. It was possible, I conceived, to
leave my present post, to descend into the cave, and issue forth without
the smallest signal. Their supine posture assured me that they were
asleep. Sleep usually comes at their bidding, and if, perchance, they
should be wakeful at an unseasonable moment, they always sit upon their
haunches, and, leaning their elbows on their knees, consume the tedious
hours in smoking. My peril would be great. Accidents which I could not
foresee, and over which I had no command, might occur to awaken some one
at the moment I was passing the fire. Should I pass in safety, I might
issue forth into a wilderness, of which I had no knowledge, where I
might wander till I perished with famine, or where my footsteps might be
noted and pursued and overtaken by these implacable foes. These perils
were enormous and imminent; but I likewise considered that I might be at
no great distance from the habitations of men, and that my escape might
rescue them from the most dreadful calamities. I determined to make this
dangerous experiment without delay. I came nearer to the aperture, and had, consequently, a larger view of
this recess. To my unspeakable dismay, I now caught a glimpse of one
seated at the fire. His back was turned towards me, so that I could
distinctly survey his gigantic form and fantastic ornaments. My project was frustrated. This one was probably commissioned to watch
and to awaken his companions when a due portion of sleep had been taken. That he would not be unfaithful or remiss in the performance of the part
assigned to him was easily predicted. To pass him without exciting his
notice (and the entrance could not otherwise be reached) was impossible. Once more I shrunk back, and revolved with hopelessness and anguish the
necessity to which I was reduced. This interval of dreary foreboding did not last long. Some motion in him
that was seated by the fire attracted my notice. I looked, and beheld
him rise from his place and go forth from the cavern. This unexpected
incident led my thoughts into a new channel. Could not some advantage be
taken of his absence? Could not this opportunity be seized for making my
escape? He had left his gun and hatchet on the ground. It was likely,
therefore, that he had not gone far, and would speedily return. Might
not these weapons be seized, and some provision be thus made against the
danger of meeting him without, or of being pursued? Before a resolution could be formed, a new sound saluted my ear. It was
a deep groan, succeeded by sobs that seemed struggling for utterance but
were vehemently counteracted by the sufferer. This low and bitter
lamentation apparently proceeded from some one within the cave. It could
not be from one of this swarthy band. It must, then, proceed from a
captive, whom they had reserved for torment or servitude, and who had
seized the opportunity afforded by the absence of him that watched to
give vent to his despair. I again thrust my head forward, and beheld, lying on the ground, apart
from the rest, and bound hand and foot, a young girl. Her dress was the
coarse russet garb of the country, and bespoke her to be some farmer's
daughter. Her features denoted the last degree of fear and anguish, and
she moved her limbs in such a manner as showed that the ligatures by
which she was confined produced, by their tightness, the utmost degree
of pain. My wishes were now bent not only to preserve myself and to frustrate the
future attempts of these savages, but likewise to relieve this miserable
victim. This could only be done by escaping from the cavern and
returning with seasonable aid. The sobs of the girl were likely to rouse
the sleepers. My appearance before her would prompt her to testify her
surprise by some exclamation or shriek. What could hence be predicted
but that the band would start on their feet and level their unerring
pieces at my head? I know not why I was insensible to these dangers. My thirst was rendered
by these delays intolerable. It took from me, in some degree, the power
of deliberation. The murmurs which had drawn me hither continued still
to be heard. Some torrent or cascade could not be far distant from the
entrance of the cavern, and it seemed as if one draught of clear water
was a luxury cheaply purchased by death itself. This, in addition to
considerations more disinterested, and which I have already mentioned,
impelled me forward. The girl's cheek rested on the hard rock, and her eyes were dim with
tears. As they were turned towards me, however, I hoped that my
movements would be noticed by her gradually and without abruptness. This
expectation was fulfilled. I had not advanced many steps before she
discovered me. This moment was critical beyond all others in the course
of my existence. My life was suspended, as it were, by a spider's
thread. All rested on the effect which this discovery should make upon
this feeble victim. I was watchful of the first movement of her eye which should indicate a
consciousness of my presence. I laboured, by gestures and looks, to
deter her from betraying her emotion. My attention was, at the same
time, fixed upon the sleepers, and an anxious glance was cast towards
the quarter whence the watchful savage might appear. I stooped and seized the musket and hatchet. The space beyond the fire
was, as I expected, open to the air. I issued forth with trembling
steps. The sensations inspired by the dangers which environed me, added
to my recent horrors, and the influence of the moon, which had now
gained the zenith, and whose lustre dazzled my long-benighted senses,
cannot be adequately described. For a minute, I was unable to distinguish objects. This confusion was
speedily corrected, and I found myself on the verge of a steep. Craggy
eminences arose on all sides. On the left hand was a space that offered
some footing, and hither I turned. A torrent was below me, and this path
appeared to lead to it. It quickly appeared in sight, and all foreign
cares were, for a time, suspended.