profound and increasing
respect for the prowess of the savages, and even for the majesty of fresh water,
it is true; but his apprehensions of the former proceeded more from his dread of
being scalped and tortured, than from any unmanly fear of death, and as he was
now on the deck of a house, if not the deck of a ship, and knew that there was
little danger of boarders, he moved about with a fearlessness, and a real
exposure of his person, that Pathfinder, had he been aware of the fact, would
have been the first to condemn. Instead of keeping his body covered, agreeably
to the usages of Indian warfare, he was seen on every part of the roof, dashing
the water right and left, with the apparent steadiness and unconcern, he would
have manifested had he been a sail trimmer, exercising his art, in a battle
afloat. His appearance was one of the causes of the extraordinary clamor among
the assailants, who, unused to seeing their enemies so reckless, opened upon him
with their tongues, like the pack that has the fox in view. Still, he appeared
to possess a charmed life, for, though the bullets whistled around him on every
side, and his clothes were several times torn, nothing cut his skin. When the
shell passed through the logs below, the old sailor dropped his bucket, waved
his hat, and gave three cheers, in which heroic act he was employed as the
dangerous missile exploded. This characteristic feat probably saved his life,
for, from that instant, the Indians ceased to fire at him, and even to shoot
their flaming arrows at the block, having taken up the notion, simultaneously
and by common consent, that the salt water was mad; and it was a singular effect
of their magnanimity never to lift a hand against those whom they imagined
devoid of reason.
    The conduct of Pathfinder was very different. Every thing he did was
regulated by the most exact calculation, the result of long experience and
habitual thoughtfulness. His person was kept carefully out of a line with the
loops, and the spot that he selected for his look out, was one that was quite
removed from danger. This celebrated guide had often been known to lead forlorn
hopes, he had once stood at the stake, suffering under the cruelties and taunts
of savage ingenuity and savage ferocity, without quailing, and legends of his
exploits, coolness and daring, were to be heard all along that extensive
frontier, or, wherever men dwelt and men contended, but, on this occasion, one
who did not know