Twice Content raised his piece to tire, and as often did he
let it fall, in reluctance to do injury to even a quadruped of whose
character he was ignorant. It is more than probable that his less
considerate, and but half-obedient companion would have decided the
question soon after leaving he postern, had not the peculiar contents of
his musket rendered him delicate of its uses.
"Look to thy weapons," said the former, loosening his own hunting-knife in
its sheath. "We will draw near, and make certainty of what is doubtful."
They did so, and the gun of Dudley was thrust rudely into the side of the
object of their distrust, before it again betrayed life or motion. Then,
indeed, as if further disguise was useless, an Indian lad, of some fifteen
years, rose deliberately to his feet, and stood before them in the sullen
dignity of a captured warrior. Content hastily seized the stripling by an
arm, and followed by Eben, who occasionally quickened the footsteps of the
prisoner by an impetus obtained from the breech of his own musket, they
hurriedly returned within the defences.
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