Chapter 11 - Page 2

use the appellation in the absence of all others) fastened
a searching glance, for a single moment, on the countenance of the girl;
and then, as if his intention had not been diverted from the principal
subject in hand, he rejoined coolly--

"We go as scouters and observers of that which may hereafter call for the
ready assistance of this youth; but numbers would expose us to
observation, without adding to our usefulness--and yet," he added,
arresting his footstep, which was already turned towards the door, and
looking earnestly and long at the Indian boy, "perhaps there standeth one
who might much enlighten us, would he but speak!"

This remark drew every eye on the person of the captive. The lad stood the
scrutiny with the undismayed and immovable composure of his race. But
though his eye met the looks of those around him haughtily and in pride,
it was not gleaming with any of that stern defiance which had so often
been known to glitter in his glances, when he had reason to think that his
fortunes, or his person, was the subject of the peculiar observation of
those with whom he dwelt. On the contrary, the expression of his dark
visage was rather that of amity than of hatred, and there was a moment
when the look he cast upon Ruth and her offspring was visibly touched with
a feeling of concern. A glance, charged with such a meaning, could not
escape the quick-sighted vigilance of a mother.

"The child hath proved himself worthy to be trusted," she said; "and in
the name of him who looketh into and knoweth all hearts, let him once
more go forth."

Her lips became sealed, for again the conch announced the seeming
impatience of those without to be admitted. The full tones of the shell
thrilled on the nerves of the listeners, as though they proclaimed the
coming of some great and fearful judgment.

In the midst of these often-repeated and mysterious sounds, Submission
alone seemed calm and unmoved. Turning his look from the countenance of
the boy, whose head had dropped upon his breast as the last notes of the
conch rang among the buildings, he motioned hurriedly to Dudley to follow,
and left the place.

There was, in good truth, that in the secluded situation of the valley,
the darkness of the hour, and the nature of the several interruptions,
which might readily awaken deep concern in the breasts of men as firm
even as those who now issued into the open air, in quest of the solution
of doubts that were becoming intensely painful. The stranger, or
Submission, as we may in future have frequent occasion to call him, led
the way in silence to a point of the eminence, without the buildings,
where the eye might overlook the palisadoes that hedged the