Chapter 5

"Are you so brave? I'll have you talked with anon."

Coriolanus.

The axe and the brand had been early and effectually used, immediately
around the dwelling of the Heathcotes. A double object had been gained by
removing most of the vestiges of the forest from the vicinity of the
buildings: the necessary improvements were executed with greater facility,
and, a consideration of no small importance, the cover, which the American
savage is known to seek in his attacks, was thrown to a distance that
greatly diminished the danger of a surprise.

Favored by the advantage which had been obtained by this foresight, and by
the brilliancy of a night that soon emulated the brightness of day, the
duty of Eben Dudley and of his associate on the watch was rendered easy of
accomplishment. Indeed, so secure did they become towards morning, chiefly
on account of the capture of the Indian lad, that more than once, eyes,
that should have been differently employed, yielded to the drowsiness of
the hour and to habit, or were only opened at intervals that left their
owners in some doubt as to the passage of the intermediate time. But no
sooner did the signs of day approach, than, agreeably to their
instructions, the watchers sought their beds, and for an hour or two, they
slept soundly and without fear.

When his father had closed the prayers of the morning, Content, in the
midst of the assembled family, communicated as many of the incidents of
the past night as in his judgment seemed necessary. His discretion limited
the narrative to the capture of the native youth, and to the manner in
which he had ordered the watch for the security of the family On the
subject of his own excursion to the forest, and all connected therewith,
he was guardedly silent.

It is unnecessary to relate the manner in which this startling information
was received. The cold and reserved brow of the Puritan became still more
thoughtful; the young men looked grave, but resolute; the maidens of the
household grew pale, shuddered, and whispered hurriedly together; while
the little Ruth, and a female child of nearly her own age, named Martha,
clung close to the side of the mistress of the family, who, having nothing
new to learn, had taught herself to assume the appearance of a resolution
she was far from feeling.

The first visitation which befell the listeners, after their eager ears
had drunk in the intelligence Content so briefly imparted, was a renewal
of the spiritual strivings of his father in the form of prayer. A
particular petition was put up in quest of light on their future
proceedings, for mercy on all men, for a better mind to those who wandered
through the wilderness seeking victims of their wrath, for the gifts of