Content, who well knew the invincible
resolution, no less than the art of an Indian, had forborne to question
him when taken; for he believed the time to be better suited to vigilant
action, than to interrogatories that the character of the boy was likely
to render perfectly useless. He now proceeded, however, with an interest
that began to quicken as circumstances rendered its indulgence less
unsuitable, to seek his captive, in order to bring him before the
searching ordeal of his father's authority.
The key of the lower door of the block-house hung where it had been
deposited; the ladder was replaced, and Content mounted quietly to the
apartment where he had placed his captive. The room was the lowest of
three that the building contained, all being above that which might be
termed its basement. The latter, having up aperture but its door, was a
dark, hexagonal space, partly filled with such articles as might be needed
in the event of an alarm, and which, at the same time, were frequently
required for the purposes of domestic use. In the centre of the area was
a deep well, so fitted and protected by a wall of stone, as to admit of
water being drawn into the rooms above.
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