The savage humors and the rankling desire for vengeance in
the boldest of his subalterns, were made to quail before the menacing
glances of an eye that seldom threatened without performance; nor was
there one of them all, when challenged to come forth to brave the anger
or to oppose the eloquence of his chief, who did not shrink from a contest
which habitual respect had taught them to believe would be far too unequal
for success. Within less than an hour after Ruth had clasped her child to
her bosom the invaders had altogether disappeared. The dead of their party
were withdrawn and concealed, with all the usual care, in order that no
scalp of a warrior might be left in the hands of his enemies.
It was not unusual for the Indians to retire satisfied with the results of
their first blow. So much of their military success was dependent on
surprise, that it oftener happened the retreat commenced with its failure,
than that victory was obtained by perseverance.
So long as the battle raged, their courage was equal to all its dangers;
but among people who made so great a merit of artifice, it is not at all
surprising that they seldom put more to the hazard than was justified by
the most severe discretion.
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