Chapter 12

"There need no ghost, my lord, come from the grave
To tell us this."

Hamlet

Although the minds of most, if not of all the inmates of the
Wish-Ton-Wish, had been so powerfully exercised that night with a belief
that the powers of the invisible world were about to be let loose upon
them, the danger had now presented itself in a shape too palpable to admit
of further doubt. The cry of 'the heathen' had been raised from every lip;
even the daughter and elève of Ruth repeated it, as they fled wailing
through the buildings; and, for a moment, terror and surprise appeared to
involve the assailed in inextricable confusion. But the promptitude of the
young men in rushing to the rescue, with the steadiness of Content, soon
restored order. Even the females assumed at least the semblance of
composure, the family having been too long trained to meet the exigencies
of such an emergency, to be thrown entirely off its guard, for more than
the first and the most appalling moments of the alarm.

The effect of the sudden repulse was such as all experience had taught
the Colonists to expect, in their Indian warfare. The uproar of the onset
ceased as abruptly as it had commenced, and a calmness so tranquil, and a
stillness so profound, succeeded, that one who had for the first time
witnessed such a scene, might readily have fancied it the effects of some
wild and fearful illusion.

During these moments of general and deep silence, the two adventurers,
whose retreat had probably hastened the assault by offering the temptation
of an easy passage within the works, left the cover of the piles of wood,
and ascended the hill to the place where Dudley knew Content was to be
posted, in the event of a summons to the defences.

"Unless much inquiry hath deceived me in the nature of the heathen's
craftiness," said the stranger, "we shall have breathing-time ere the
onset be renewed. The experience of a soldier bids me say, that prudence
now urges us to look into the number and position of our foes, that we may
order our resistance with better understanding of their force."

"In what manner of way may this be done? Thou seest nought about us but
the quiet and the darkness of night. Speak of the number of our enemies we
cannot, and sally forth we may not, without certain destruction to all who
quit the palisadoes."

"Thou forgottest that we have a hostage in the boy; he may be turned to
some advantage, if our power over his person be used with discretion."

"I doubt that we deceive ourselves with a hope that is vain," returned
Content, leading the way as he spoke, however, towards the court which
communicated with the principal dwelling.