THE MALEDTCTED. 543 



existed in both parties. Slight exchanges were effected between them* 

 and numberless acts of kindness and goodwill performed on either side- 

 Some there were, however, who were not born for sociality; they 

 could not bear to see their native woods torn down by the axes of the 

 new comers, and the stubborn plough driven through the very soil 

 which was rendered famous by the deeds, and possibly sacred by the 

 ashes of their invincible forefathers. I had been warned of this ; I had 

 also been cautioned not to extend my rambles to an unnecessary length 

 when alone ; of all of which, at the moment, I took careful note, but 

 frequently lost sight of the monition when prudence was most necessary. 

 I was returning pensively from a rather longer excursion than usual, 

 and was almost regretting my distance from New Hope, when I was 

 startled by the sound of something which whizzed with great force 

 past my ear, and was speedily buried in the forest. I had no doubt 

 that it had been thrown ; but that it had been aimed at me I refused 

 for a moment to believe. Since I first set my foot on the continent of 

 the new world, I had the consolation to think that I had made some 

 friends, but not one enemy ! I proceeded steadily onwards, when a 

 tall Indian suddenly placed himself in the path before me, and in an 

 attitude which declared that he meant to contend the passage with me. 

 I stepped back to bring a blow at him with my rifle, but he, with a 

 sudden bound, was upon me, and had nearly as good a hold of my 

 weapon as I had. His features were inflamed with passion, and his 

 eyes glowed like two coals of fire. He gave a furious throw, as if he 

 had imagined to deprive me of the rifle by a coup de main ; but he had 

 underrated my powers for resistance ; I not only retained my grasp but 

 I returned the throw with a suddenness and force which threw him 

 violently backward. I smiled at him in derision, and was about to 

 give him a blow that would have unfitted him for sudden pursuit, 

 when a wild shout arose behind me, and at the same moment my arm 

 was arrested by another Indian of more formidable dimensions than my 

 fallen adversary. The smile of good humour was upon his countenance, 

 and an interchange of words took place between them, which I under- 

 stood enough of to know that the new comer was a peace-maker. I 

 stood upon high ground, however, I availed myself of the parley to 

 load my piece, which had two of the best barrels that ever were brought 

 to an aim, and I demanded them to clear my path on pain of instant 

 punishment. The new comer was nothing daunted; he renewed his 

 pacific gestures with an earnestness which made me smile in compliance, 

 and, stepping on one side, he partly dragged and partly lead my sullen 

 and discomfitted antagonist from the scene of conflict. 



When I reached home, the account I gave of the rencontre, alarmed 

 the family, but more particularly Emily, whose affection for me began 

 daily to increase. They rejoiced at the firmness of my resistance, as that 

 would give my unknown adversary a favourable opinion of me, if he 

 were an honourable person ; but they regretted his defeat inasmuch as 

 some of the natives were known to pursue such a dishonour with the 

 most vindictive and unyielding hatred. 



That evening Emily begged of me no more to subject myself to such 

 a risk. From the description I was enabled to give of the Indians, she 

 was satisfied that both had been at New Hope on a mission of barter. 

 One of them had looked at her with more than usual earnestness, and, 

 she added, in a low tone of voice, while she grasped my arm firmly, 



