Part 36 (2/2)
”Why so?”
”You remember those two poor fellows whom we found scalped the other day?”
”I shall never forget them,” said Lawrence Peabody, with a shudder.
”Better think of them to-night. If you go to sleep on watch, those very Indians may serve you in the same way.”
”Oh, good gracious!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Peabody, turning pale.
”They or some of their tribe are, no doubt, near at hand.”
”Don't you think you could excuse me, Mr. Fletcher?” stammered Peabody, panic-stricken.
”No!” thundered Fletcher, so sternly that the unhappy Bostonian shrank back in dismay.
For the credit of Boston, it may be said that John Miles--a broad-shouldered young giant, who did not know what fear was--more honorably represented the same city.
CHAPTER XXV.
A NIGHT PANIC.
Lawrence Peabody's feelings when night approached were not unlike those of a prisoner under sentence of death. He was timid, nervous, and gifted with a lively imagination. His fears were heightened by the sad spectacle that he had recently witnessed. His depression was apparent to all; but I regret to say that it inspired more amus.e.m.e.nt than sympathy.
Men winked at each other as they saw him pa.s.s; and, with the exception of Tom and his Scotch friend, probably n.o.body pitied the poor fellow.
”He's a poor creature, Tom,” said Donald Ferguson; ”but I pity him. We wouldn't mind watching to-night; but I doubt it's a terrible thing to him.”
”I would volunteer in his place, but Mr. Fletcher won't agree to it,”
said Tom.
”He is right. The young man must take his turn. He won't dread it so much a second time.”
”What would the poor fellow do if he should see an Indian?”
”Faint, likely; but that is not probable.”
”Mr. Fletcher thinks there are some not far off.”
”They don't attack in the night, so I hear.”
”That seems strange to me. I should think the night would be most favorable for them.”
”It's their way. Perhaps they have some superst.i.tion that hinders.”
”I am glad of it, at any rate. I can sleep with greater comfort.”
The rest were not as considerate as Tom and Ferguson. They tried, indeed, to excite still further the fears of the young Bostonian.
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