As the flame shot up, it lighted the swarthy countenance of the
Huron on watch, whose dark eyes glistened under its light like
the balls of the panther that is pursued to his den with burning
brands. But Hetty felt no fear, and she approached the spot where
the Indian stood. Her movements were so natural, and so perfectly
devoid of any of the stealthiness of cunning or deception, that he
imagined she had merely arisen on account of the coolness of the
night, a common occurrence in a bivouac, and the one of all others,
perhaps, the least likely to excite suspicion. Hetty spoke to him,
but he understood no English. She then gazed near a minute at the
sleeping captive, and moved slowly away in a sad and melancholy
manner. The girl took no pains to conceal her movements. Any
ingenious expedient of this nature quite likely exceeded her
powers; still her step was habitually light, and scarcely audible.
As she took the direction of the extremity of the point, or the
place where she had landed in the first adventure, and where Hist
had embarked, the sentinel saw her light form gradually disappear
in the gloom without uneasiness or changing his own position. He
knew that others were on the look-out, and he did not believe that
one who had twice come into the camp voluntarily, and had already
left it openly, would take refuge in flight.
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