The Mohegan Maiden — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE UNKNOWN’S RETICENCE. 49 danger, and teaches him coolness and self-possession at all times. Those qualities are, perhaps, more essential in this warfare, than all others; excepting skill in the use of weapons,” “Indeed, sir, you seem to have canvassed the entire field of military science, even up to Indian fighting,” said Archi- bald, anxious to draw out the stranger. The latter looked searchingly at him before replying. “Yes, I Have seen something of military life, in years past. T have witnessed battles such as you little dream of. My €xperience,’—he paused—*“ has been a strange one.” “Will you not tell me something of it 2?” Archibald asked, though he repented the question in a moment. | “Not now, my friend, not now. Sooner or later it may be your fortune to know more of me. But stay,” he added sud- denly. “ What do your people of Hadley say I. am ?” “ Generally speaking, they consider you a messenger sent from God, for their especial preservation,’ was the rather hesitating reply. | “ Then let that suffice for the present. I shall feel flattered, and it is quite ag well.” “ But, I know you to be flesh and blood,” said the youth, who had grasped one of the unknown’s arms, thus satisfying himself of the fact. “ And you can reveal your knowledge to the Hadleyites, ‘nd be laughed to scorn!” said the other, carelessly. They resumed the route toward Hadley, traveling in silence, and keeping a sharp watch for every lurking savage. But, hone crossed their path, and, in less than an hour, the shadow Of evening had descended so densely that a native would scarcely have been discovered ten yards away. “We shall have to stop now, and wait for the morn,” re- Marked Archibald, as they scrambled through a section of - bushy forest, = “Yes, and the sooner the better,” returned the stranger. “TIT 4m well worn with thi¢ rough mode of travel.” Seeking out a conyenient place, they were soon seated upon the ground. Here Archibald and Christian shared their not OVer-abundant allowance of food with the stranger. None of them felt disposed to converse, had talking been allowed under the circumstances, and the unknown composed himself comicbooks.com