Such visitors, and so armed, were not of a description
to remove the apprehensions of the little party in the
farm-house. Their very silence, added to their dark and
threatening looks, created more than mere suspicion--a
certainty of evil design--and deeply did Mr. Heywood
deplore the folly of Ephraim Giles in failing to apprise
him of his meeting with these people, at the earliest
moment after his return. Had he done so, there might have
been a chance, nay, every assurance of relief, for he
knew that a party from the fort, consisting of a
non-commissioned officer and six men, were even now
fishing not more than two miles higher up the river. He
was aware that the boy, Wilton, was an excellent runner,
and that within an hour, at least, he could have reached
and brought down that party, who, as was their wont, when
absenting themselves on these fishing excursions, were
provided with their arms. However, it might not yet be
too late, and he determined to make the attempt. To call
and speak to the boy aside, would, he was well aware,
excite the suspicions of his unwelcome guests, while it
was possible that, as they did not understand English,
(so at least he took it for granted) a communication made
to him boldly in their presence, would be construed into
some domestic order.
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